BE INSPIRED

Showing Common Sense
By Catherine Pulsifer, ©2011

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I have been in situations where someone who is more educated, or who is in a more senior position, made a decision I disagreed with. My common sense told me that it was the wrong decision. But, I thought they must know what they were doing because they were more educated, and in a more senior position. So I didn't say or suggest anything. But once the decision was made, and the action was taken, I realized that I should have spoken up and expressed my opinion; as the decision was not a good one.

Far too many of us blindly accept a decision of a superior without challenging the assumptions upon which the decision is based. Sometimes we lack the confidence to speak up. And, sometimes we do not want to upset our boss or co-worker.

I also have been in many situations where my own decisions were not the right ones. After the fact, a co-worker would say to me, "I knew that was not the right thing to do." It always amazed me that they did not speak up and voice their opinion. There have been many times once something is pointed out that I have rethought my action. And, of course, there were times when I wished I had listened and didn't. But, that is how we learn.

On the other hand, showing the confidence to challenge decisions based on our own common sense can lead to more thoughtful decisions. Don't be afraid to speak up, voice your thoughts in a constructive and positive manner.

As Josh Billings once said, "Common sense is instinct and enough of it is genius." More words of wisdom from Josh Billings on this subject, "Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done."

Motivational Words

Looking for motivational words to motivate and inspire. Here find ten short tips or quotes, or short stories to provide you with motivation for your week. We would encourage you to pick one of the ten motivational words or tips that you speak to you - the one that motivates you and write it down and refer to it each day over the next week. Remember that a new attitude, or behaviour is built by repetition. Reading, and re-reading a tip or quote will help build this new way of thinking or acting. We will update our motivational words of wisdom on a regular basis, visit again for the newest ones. We hope you have found them not only motivational but also inspirational.

1. Change your thoughts from, "what's in it for me?" to "how can I help?" - this is one of the keys to success. Catherine Pulsifer 2. Success is not counted by how high you have climbed but by how many you brought with you. Wil Rose 3. Determination and perseverance move the world; thinking that others will do it for you is a sure way to fail. Marva Collins 4. Learn to be flexible; it makes the curves in your life path much easier to maneuver. Cherie Carter-Scott 5. Problems tend to growl at us like cowardly dogs. If we face them and challenge them, they back away. If we run from them, they run after us, snapping our heels. Freddie Mitman 6. Over the years I have discovered that ideas come through an intense desire for them; continually desiring, the mind becomes a watchtower on the lookout for incidents that may excite the imagination. Charlie Chaplin 7. The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. Author Unknown 8. What's important is how frequently you're happy, not how intensely. Those peaks of happiness - getting swept off your feet, scaling a mountain top, winning a bundle in Las Vegas - are nice, but happiness comes down to being quietly content most of the time. Dr. Joyce Brothers 9. We become what we expect to become. Greatness can be achieved only if we expect it from ourselves and from others! James Ericson 10. An oak and a reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up, the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.