The Pressure of It All ...Changes Thank God!

Pressure is a force exerted on an object.  Unfortunately that object we feel pressure painfully applied to is often  on ourselves. Procrastination leads to increased pressure.  We pressure ourselves to get our research paper completed, be good parents, get educated, get to work on time, and pay our bills.  If things run smoothly, we feel great.  If we are behind or the task seem insurmountable, we don't.  Some people seem to handle pressure fine.  Others, have their moments.  Pressure makes us perform and often be productive.  When does pressure become stress.  When we become compulsive or overwhelmed.  How does our attitude reflect how we handle pressure?  I think attitude makes the world of difference.  This coming from someone who occasionally handles the pressure poorly.  But I try, and am constantly learning new tricks.  Foremost, I think you need to know yourself.  How do I perform best?  Knowing your limitations help.  I find it extremely annoying when others tell you how make things work repeatedly, when you know things don't work the same for everyone.  Find what works best for you and follow a plan.  Don't put pressure on yourself to reach unattainable goals.  Prioritizing helps manage pressure.  And at the end of the day, know that tomorrow is another day.  I have started asking myself situation will make a difference in 6 months from now.  Usually the answer is "No!"  Things have a way of working out for themselves.  Just stay focused, set up priorities, and be good to yourself and those you love.  The pressure you feel tomorrow with be different from next year.  Save your blood pressure, your attitude, and your mind.

The Critic and Criticism

Criticism can be good and bad.  Constructive criticism is supposedly good,  while criticism otherwise hurts.  I think both can hurt.  Constructive criticism is geared toward self improvement while both can actually hurt your self esteem and your feelings.  We often have mock drills to practice objectives in the workplace and the critique what happens so that we improve.  That kind of thing does not hurt my feelings.  But when people critique those things that are difficult to change or we have no control of that is when it can hurt.  Criticism is to sit in judgement.  Some people are critical without having positive things to say and can often just see the negative.  That hurts feelings of those being judged.  I appreciate much more that when you say something negative, tell me how to improve it.  Some of us are better taking criticism than others.  Critical people don't keep friends long if they are just negative.

the Sense of common sense

Common sense is so important that it should actually be as important as hearing, seeing, touching, tasting...it is what our brain needs to contribute to meet our daily needs.  If you don't have good common sense you have trouble functioning and possibly hurt yourself or others.  Prisons are full of people with poor common sense.  Common sense is something that can be learned by experience.  Some people have more than others.  I rather have more common sense than intelligence.  Intelligence and common sense don't always go together.  I have seen some incredibly smart people do some really stupid things.  Common sense reminds me of the saying that "you can't see the forest through the trees".  Someone with common sense sees the forest and the trees.  Today my son just got a truck and is taking his driver test next week.  I can only hope he has enough common sense to realize how important it is to drive responsibly and not let his friends influence his behavior behind the wheel.  It is the sense that keeps us safe and just knows what is best for you.