How Important is Your Lemonade Stand?

When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that he wanted to lemonade stand. He asked me to help him, which I did. And he was very serious about the whole matter. The stand had to look like a "real store." The "lemonade needed "real" lemons. We had to go to the bank, so that he would have, as he put it, "the appropriate amount of change needed to complete any sale," etc. He had me sign a work contract with him ? made out of crayons ? and tested me on my ability to count out change. (Luckily, he was unaware of business insurance, city permits, and employee benefits!)

The stand actually showed a profit (something like $5.00) for the two days it was in operation. The reason why this "money maker" was only in business two days was because my neighbor's child felt that he had achieved his goal, and was now going to "move on to something else."

Through this ordeal, I never said a negative word, wise-crack or doubted his sincerity. What fascinated me was that he took the whole project so seriously. When I brought this episode up recently to him (he is now an adult!), he was himself amused at how much that stand meant to him at that time. He was amazed at how seriously he took the whole thing and that he felt that the stand was very important to his life and well-being. He also remembered how overwhelming and insurmountable he thought the obstacles were that he encountered while we created the stand.

However, don't we react the same way with our dreams, desires, and goals? Don't we react the same way, with regard to doing many of the things that we are asked or paid to do?

Replace the lemonade stand with an upcoming meeting that you have to attend. Perhaps you are taking it very seriously. You have prepared your documents and your presentation to the utmost degree. You haven't taken any calls, returned calls or emails ? because you must not be distracted from this mission. You have spent hours at home putting everything together. You have gone out of your way to create the perfect presentation. Regardless of the problems or obstacles that you have faced at work or home, you have set them aside for this meeting. As the lemonade stand was "very important" to this young child, this meeting is "very important" to your life and well-being.

The day of the meeting arrives. You are ready to do your presentation. You deliver your presentation successfully. However, there will be no decision made on your presentation at this time, because the boss has decided to "move on to something else" right now.

Another scenario might be that the boss decided to move forward on your ideas. Your ideas are successful and now your boss, and you, will "move on to something else."

In either scenario, looking back six months or three months or one month from your meeting, was it really "that" important to your life and well-being? Was that meeting worth irritating fellow employees and/or vendors or customers by not returning their call or emails? Was that meeting worth disrupting your home life?

Obviously, the answer is "no." If you even remember the meeting a year later, will you be able to see that all that "seriousness" did nothing but cause anxiety and stress in your life?

Take a moment and look at what you feel is so "serious" with regard to your professional and personal life. Ask yourself, "Am I inflating the importance of what I need to do?" "Is it really 'that' important or am I making it appear to be 'that' important?'

Some inflate the importance of what they are doing or need to do, because of low self-esteem. We have all met people who take their job too seriously. Yet, do you also do the same thing? When you examine your current "to dos," you will observe that very few, if any, are important to your life and well-being. By releasing this superficial importance, you release stress and anxiety from your life. You begin to flow with life, as opposed to trying to swim against the current.

The only true struggle in my young friend's mind was the struggle that he brought on himself. Stuart Wilde wrote a small booklet years ago with a title that says it all, "Life Was Never Meant to be a Struggle." And so be it!

Bob Garner is the author of "Masters of Motivation" which has been called a "must read" by business leaders. The creator of a number of CDs that have empowered thousands, Bob writes for numerous business magazines and speaks extensively worldwide on motivation and success. Sign up now for his free monthly newsletter called "Personal Success" at http://www.bobgarner.com

top rated cleaning service Lake Forest ..
In The News:

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.
Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.
Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.
New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.
Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.
The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.
Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.
Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.
Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.
Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.
NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.
Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.
Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.
New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.
Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.
Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.
The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.
Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.
Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.
Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.
Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

Conquering Bad Habits

Most of your behavior is determined by your habits. Everything... Read More

Can You Think Your Way To Riches?

I am going to tell you something you already know... Read More

What is Success?

A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More

You Must Play By The Rules

You must play by the rules. Everything has rules. You... Read More

Easy Steps to Work-Life Balance

Knowing when to disconnect, shut it off, unplug, or walk... Read More

Tools for Constructing the Road to Success

Too many times in the pursuit of our dreams, we... Read More

If You?re Not Where You Want To Be In Life, It?s Your Own Fault

Have you ever wondered why you're not where you want... Read More

Why Questions are so Important for Self Improvement and Success

Asking questions is one of the most basic ways that... Read More

5 Master Qualities of Extraordinary Achievers

You can be a master achiever by developing the same... Read More

Psychological Tips For Effective Examination Techniques

One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More

Discover Your Path to Success - Part 3

If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More

Check Your Comfort Zone At The Door

No matter what goals and dreams you desire, there's a... Read More

Its Your World--Own It

Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More

Why Are Manhole Covers Round?

Recently I stumbled across a list of Microsoft Interview questions... Read More

Keeping Your Mind Tuned for Success

Absolutely no one can underestimate the power of the mind... Read More

Practical Nine-Step Guide to Max Productivity

Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete... Read More

What Does YOUR Success Look Like?

What does success look like to you? Our culture often... Read More

Do You Need to Have a High IQ to Be Successful? Does an Average IQ Mean Youll Be Average?

You have probably heard the term "IQ" many times, and... Read More

Success After Failure - Even Genghis Khan Lost Some Early Battles

Both the worst and the best of the great achievers... Read More

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

I do! I want to be a millionaire! Do you?Judging... Read More

Success ...Whats the Key Ingredient?

Don't expect results over night - what??If you were to... Read More

How to be Congruent and Experience Balance Every Day.

"If you can tell the world who you are and... Read More

Success Is Based On A Realistic Plan

Everyone wants to be successful. However, many people often rely... Read More

You Are What You Think You Are

Think out of the box, they say. But what's a... Read More

What is Success Really?

Every single one of us is trying to reach success.... Read More

insured cleaning company Morton Grove ..