Years of experience has taught me that most people’s problems don’t necessarily need to be fixed they just need to be heard. 

Our natural tendency as human beings is to want to solve the problems of our friends and loved ones but attempting to solve the problems of others can in some cases do more harm to a person or relationship than help.  The surprising reality is that the solution to the most complex problems often times lie within the host itself.  So the best thing you can do for a friend or loved one sometimes is absolutely nothing but listen and give that friend an opportunity to work through that problem by wrestling with their own words and thoughts.  Being allowed to fully articulate in their own words the problem they’re facing can oftentimes be both therapeutic and cathartic and more importantly can reduce the level of stress and anxiety for many situations.  Just being willing to lend what I call an “affirmative ear” or be an “encouraging listener” can go a loooong way sometimes.

So I invite you to consider shutting up and listening sometime and just let the venting process run its course.  You just might find yourself being a hero to that friend or family member in distress.  Sure couldn’t hurt to find out for your self rather or not this really works.  Just a little food-4-thought for you today.  Hmmmmm…

Let’s all continue to make it GREAT!

www.CedricCrawford.com
www.Twitter.com/CedricRCrawford

Just got back from investing (not spending) all day with my bride and kiddos in Santa Ana and Santa Monica Beach in California and now I feel like Santa Claus, the happiest guy in the world because of cashing in on the opportunity to give.  Not giving of presents, but giving of my time in the present.

Because of such activities, I fully expect my kids to accuse me of drugging them when they reach adulthood.  They’ll tell the story of how I “drug” them to the beach, the park and the church house just to name a few.  I fully realize that time maybe a lot of things but one thing that it is not and it will never be is recyclable.  We can’t get it back folks.  How are you choosing to utilize your time?  Hmmmm…  No need to answer out loud, just make me proud and stand out from the crowd.  

So let’s commit to squeeze the juice out of the present moment and guarantee that years down the road we will have no regrets in terms of time invested and not spent or wasted.  After all, we only get one time through this life thing, so let’s be sure to invest our time attempting to make it GREAT!

BRING ON THE SUMMER TIME !!!

The Book:    www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

I feel the sudden urge today to issue the following words of encouragement to someone(s) in eye and ear-shot of this message:  Move forward with complete confidence today knowing that even if your decision turns out to be the wrong one, it’s still the right decision for you at this time. 

Over the years I’ve learned that as we pray for guidance and wisdom to make the “right” choices and decisions we must also understand that some of the not-so-good results of our choices and decisions are creatively designed to build us up and make us better and stronger.  Failure, setbacks and negative consequences are an absolute must along our life’s journey if we intend to grow and gather wisdom.

A great rule of thumb to help prevent a good number of the setbacks and disappointments is to be sure that you continue to read, listen and participate in things that are designed to better equip you for the adversity and struggles ahead.   Simply put, our surrounding voices will determine our life choices, both good and not-so-good.   So let’s be sure to continue in our self-education efforts and embrace the learning process and see the lessons in it all so as to avoid any repeat sessions. 

So let’s all proceed with CONFIDENCE and make it GREAT!

www.Twitter.com/CedricRCrawford

I was flying to an event not long ago and was anxious as usual to get to my destination.  I’d taken flights like this dozens of times before without incident and this particular one was not expected to be any different. 

As I was sitting in my seat watching the flight-attendants do their normal pre-flight instructions, I had one of my “Hallelujah moments of clarity”.  Among the many instructions she was giving she stated, “In the event of a loss in cabin pressure, oxygen mask will automatically drop from the ceiling.” She then said the following profound words.  “First place your mask securely over your own nose and mouth and then help the person next to you.”  That’s when it hit me, this parallel also exist in the area of personal development.

We can’t expect to be able to adequately help someone else until we’ve equipped and educated ourselves, because as they say, “The blind can’t lead the blind”, right?    Hmmmm…

I encourage you today to make sure your seat-backs and tray-tables of knowledge and wisdom are in their upright and locked positions, and secure your mask of continual education first, then reach out to help your neighbor.  After all, the first and most important step of help starts with ourselves. 

Don’t miss this message today.  Continue to lean forward and work on bettering your best and helping the rest as we attempt to make it GREAT!

My new book will knock your socks off, then help you to put them back on properly.  So, be sure to pre-order your copy today to take advantage of the pre-order bonuses.

www.CedricCrawford.com/The-BOOK

What a Magnificent Monday it’s going to be simply because I refuse to settle for anything less than a MAGNIFICENT day.

Over the years I’ve discovered that life is really what you make it and it starts with each day.  I encourage you to set your positive attitude in advance for the day and make a pact and promise to yourself that no matter what happens you won’t give anyone else the power to change your prearranged attitude. 

We must be careful about letting what people say or don’t say, or the things people do or don’t do negatively affect us.  We must choose to stay in control of the one thing that no one can ever take away from us, which is our attitude.  Yes my friends, the old saying is true, “Attitude” is everything.

The last time I checked I confirmed that we still only get one time through this thing called “life”, so let’s wrap our hands around the throat of this life and choke it until it screams “UNCLE!” and gives us what we want.  Grab a good book on a daily basis and pre-set that attitude for a positive, productive day as you continue in your efforts to make it GREAT. 

My new book “Make it GREAT” is designed specifically for your daily Motivation, Inspiration, Education and TRANSFORMATION!  So don’t wait to secure your copy in advance.  (All pre-orders includes a signed copy and FREE bonus audio CD that’s packed with content.)  Always remember that the most costly investment is the one that you DON’T make in yourself.

Don’t wait to Make it GREAT!

www.CedricCrawford.com/The-BOOK