Here it is April already. In the time since I wrote you last, the seasons have changed, and we’ve adopted daylight savings time in most places in the United States. We’re hurdling headlong into spring, and then summer is upon us!For many of you, that’s great news; if you’re like me, you’ve been overwhelmed by snow, and intense cold. The summer sun will feel delicious!

March was a busy month for me, as I knew it would be; and April is shaping up to be much the same. A look at my calendar of speaking engagements will tell you: I’m on the road a lot this month. It’s a joy to bring a positive, life-changing energy into a room, and I’m happy to say that I’ve gotten so much positive feedback for my presentations! Here’s just one email I received after a recent engagement:

“Thank you, Albert, for all the wisdom you shared yesterday. You’re an amazing speaker – my friends and I talked about your presentation for hours afterward. I feel energized and hopeful – after all, you taught me that my future is mine to shape and enjoy.” ~K.S., Boulder Creek

It’s hard to remember, in difficult times, that you really are the sculptor, the creator of your life –both in the present moment, and in the design of your future experience. We often feel victimized by the economy, or the relationships we have; placing the blame on external forces is a no-win situation!

Your life is just that; your life. And my thinking today is this: you’ve got to adopt a sustainable outlook, and design a sustainable life. What do I mean by that? Read on!

Be sure to check out the publication notes on my newest book, Wake Up! I’m really excited about it – it’s currently in the final stages in the publication process and will be available soon.

Enjoy the folktale. Like proverbs, folktales are engaging instructional tools used by cultures and societies to pass down wisdom. “Proverbs are the daughters of experience,” is a phrase I heard often when growing up in Ghana, and I’d like you to spend the next thirty days seeking out those proverbs you’ve heard to meet the daughters of your own cultural wisdom. Some of my clients and friends have shared those they know with me, and I pass them on to you…

* A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
* A change is as good as a rest
* A drowning man will clutch at a straw
* A fool and his money are soon parted
* A friend in need is a friend indeed
* A good beginning makes a good ending
* A good man is hard to find
* A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
* A leopard cannot change its spots
* A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Please take the time to read The Lesson with the Tale. It’s got viable tips and strategies on creating a truly sustainable life – one that will nurture your spirit and pay the rent.

As always, feel free to write me with your comments, at: albert@albertmensah.com.

Until next month,

The Folktale
Why the Sun and the Moon live in the Sky

MANY years ago the sun and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. At last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to see him in his house, the water replied that the sun's house was not big enough, and that if he came with his people he would drive the sun out.

He then said, "If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and take up a lot of room."
The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day commenced building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.

When it was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the next day. When the water arrived, he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for- him to enter, and the sun answered, "Yes, come in, my friend."

The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals. Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, "Yes," so more water came in.

When the water was level with the top of a man's head, the water said to the sun, "Do you want more of my people to come?" and the sun and moon both answered, "Yes, not knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch themselves on the top of the roof.

Again the water addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since.

The Lesson within the Tale

Seek sustainable solutions. Certainly, the sun’s decision to build a large compound so as to entertain his friend, water, was not a sustainable option. However, his choice to go up into the sky with his friend moon was a rational, sustainable one.

Creating Sustainability

Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments for both now and the indefinite future. It is intended to be a means of balancing civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential today, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in a very long term. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local family to the entire planet. We must all strive to live a sustainable lifestyle, for our own well-being and sense of belonging within the greater scheme of things. In so doing, we recognize our inter-connectedness with all of life.

Vision Your Perfect Life…with a Simple, Sustainable Mindset
Before you read this you should contemplate some simple questions: exactly how have you taken action to shape your life this week? Or last month, or the month before?

If not, then what precisely might be holding you back? I bet you anything it’s the fact that you didn’t envision where you wanted to go…or how you wanted to get there. In my new book, Wake Up! To Your Own Potential and the Hidden Opportunities in Challenging Times, I give readers lots of processes and exercises, to help wake them up to all the good things, profitable ideas, and allies around them. In other words, instead of worrying; instead of caving into your fears, you’re going to choose to visualize your “ideal, sustainable life.” You’ll be putting your creativity and visualization skills to work here and boy are you going to have fun! Here’s the question I want you to use to get started:

What would it be like if you woke up one morning and a miracle had happened – your life had become exactly what you wanted it to be?
You’re going to be vivid in detail, right? For example, consider these points:

* How would you know a miracle had happened?
* What would you see, or hear?
* How would you feel?
* What changes would have happened in your professional life?
* What would your relationships look (and feel) like?
* How is your health?
* And, how are your finances?

Ok, here you go. Time to step out into the realm of all possibilities, and visualize your ‘perfect life.’

That was fun, wasn’t it? I know my clients really enjoy this process, because it opens their mind to all the possibilities. But, the next questions are a bit more sobering, yet an important part of the process:

* Do you have a good excuse or a reason as to why you are not where you might have desired?
* Were their obstacles, opportunities, or difficulties which you faced and won or were you overcome by the obstacle?
* Do you have some sort of psychological block that will not permit you to attain what you should?

I want to plant the seed of a thought into your mind, so you can overcome those blocks and obstacles, rather than succumbing to the fear; to enable you to win instead of whine; after all a person cannot do the two at the same time!

I have seen individuals come through adversity and climb to the top of the ladder, only to have the ladder ripped out from under them. Because they’ve developed a sustainable mindset, they are able to rise back up again. And that’s the first secret: A truly successful, happy, productive and prosperous individual must have the proper mindset. If you believe that you will be successful or are convinced that you will fail, you will –in the end – be absolutely correct.

* What is your mind set upon?
* Are you looking back and focused on issues connected with the past or are your thoughts consumed with where you intend to arrive?

In life and in life we can't afford to be distracted for even an inch from our journey. Each and every day requires a rigorous focus on your own target. Constantly keep your eye on the prize, on the end goal at hand. Never waiver. Do not be preoccupied with negative thoughts.

Learn to release the problems, issues, stumbling blocks, and obstacles and focus on the answers, the goals, and where you really want to find yourself. Quit whining and start winning. For no reason, ever take your eye off of the prize. Learn to live your life on your own terms and not wallow on earlier circumstances that are out of your control. A little distraction can make your goals fade into the distance and you will never get where you wanted and deserved to be. An intense focus and mindset can get you everything that you ever imagined. All this takes discipline, and resilience. While those are the characteristics you want to cultivate, here are the top time-tested techniques I’ve used to maintaining this discipline, and achieve a sustainable life:

1. Plan your schedule every week. Determine activities that require attention. If you are working on a long term project, exercise 'back timing.' That is, place the deadline for a project on your calendar. Work backwards from the deadline date so that you visually see the timeline and progress that a project requires.

2. Break projects into individual tasks. Schedule a definite time in your planner to work on each step. Scheduling in detail will help keep you focused, on schedule and avoid a last-minute rush that can hinder completion and quality.

3. Implement a filing system. Implement a filing system to complement your work style. Can you find what you need when you need it? If you find yourself buried under more and more paper, it's time to reassess and create a better filing system. An effective filing system will save you time, and as one of those proverbs spoken of earlier says…time is money.

4. Just Say 'No'. Say 'no' to items that are not supporting your goals. Understand what you are trying to accomplish, where you are going and how you plan to get there. It's easy to overextend yourself, but that is a real waste of precious time. So give yourself permission to say 'no.'

5. Take control of interruptions. Let's be honest, we all have so many interruptions during the day, that the time wasted would add up to at least an hour. Imagine how productive you could be with that same hour, if only you didn't have all those interruptions.

6. Establish “activity” stations. Everything should have a place to 'be'. Some of the stations you should have are: computer, telephone, files, supplies, reference materials, and blank forms. By creating a system, you will be able to find what you need when you need it.

7. Process mail, and email daily. Practice the FAT system: file, act, and toss. All incoming mail, whether paper or electronic, will fall into one of these categories. If you decide to keep it, and then file it. If not, toss it. Other mail requires action. These are bills, invitations needing a response, correspondence, and requests. These should be prioritized by date of importance and placed in a “tickler” file. And, of course, 'junk' mail should be tossed immediately.

8. Keep a bound notebook near the telephone. Use this to record all your phone calls and phone numbers. This keeps all the information in one place rather than hundreds of notes all over the floor and desk. Plus, it creates a permanent log for follow up. This is especially valuable technique when you’re looking for a new job.

9. Set aside 15 minutes, at the end of each day, t plan to clean up and prepare for tomorrow. Make it a habit to do this every day. You will have closure for today, and be prepared to begin again tomorrow.

The most important thing you can do for yourself and your evolving life is to create a solid, organized, sustainable foundation and build upon it.