2.1.14

NaBloPoMo: Is The Pressure on?

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." Peter Marshall 

Diamonds are the Hardest Natural Material - "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle

Is 2014 beginning to show signs of pressure for you?  What to do? For starters, take a deep breath, release the tension, close your eyes for a few minutes and meditate. That is what I've been doing...  I signed up for a month of serious blogging on a daily basis with NaBloPoMo and ZerotoHero and the pressure is on.  Of course, most of it is self-inflicted because no one is standing at my blog door demanding that I deliver as promised. It is entirely up to me to honor the commitment and remember to do it at my own pace.  My Affirmation: I will pace myself and complete my tasks joyfully - Stay Calm.
Why did I sign on? Let's take a quick look at the diamonds above. They are the hardest naturally occurring material known to man  and they shine brightest when pressure is applied.  We produce results when we exert some pressure on ourselves to shift gears and up the ante a bit. It's easy to stay the same but we get results with a tweak here or there. With some effort, we go from the static above to the sparkly below. Yes, it does take effort and the choice is ours to ramp up or down.

 
Diamonds are the Hardest Natural Material - "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle

What are you currently feeling pressure to do that you don't particularly enjoy?
Honestly, the one thing that I'm being pressured to do is in the hands of providence so it's pointless to stress about it. As for the two challenges to help us get back to daily published writing, I've decided to maintain a pace that works for me. I'll meet my daily goals and support others in a reasonable amount of time. What can happen is that we over-commit and then we crash and burn. So, if you'd like to sparkle like a diamond, then polish your skills with loving care and give it the time and attention it deserves. If we do, we'd have energy left over to fully engage and help others. Felling the pressure still? RELAX! You're in charge.

More Below!

 "Courage is grace under pressure." Ernest Hemingway 

Is the Pressure on You? Higgs Boson - Pressure of Colliding Protons. Credit: CERN

 Do you work well under pressure?
I'd admit that when the heat is on, most of us give 200% to meet a goal/deadline. It's not the ideal way to operate our lives because of the additional stress it adds to our hearts and the tension it can create with others. While I can and have worked under pressure, I've also found that our best work comes from taking the requisite time to do things well. What about your experience with pressure? What works best for you?  I'll keep you posted.  Have a lovely day and Breathe!


Some Food for Thought:
What are you feeling pressured about? How do you plan to manage it in 2014?  I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

Positive Motivation Tip: 
No pressure, no progress... so relax and go with the flow. ♥HAPPY NEW YEAR :-)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS:
All Photos: CMS: Simulated Higgs Boson credit: CERN.   Diamonds by Mario Sarto,  Northern Red OakHiggs Boson  via Wikipedia or my Personal Collection 

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet


69 comments:

  1. You've got a lot going on here. Looking forward to exploring and reading more :) I love the analogy!

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    1. Thank you Shannon! I appreciate the honest feedback. Got a lot to do this year too.
      Elizabeth

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  2. "No pressure, no progress... so relax and go with the flow." I love this. Definitely motivates me! :)

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  3. Happy New Year! I know you can keep the commitment with your passion for blogging!

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  4. Motivating and encouraging words you have in this post. Yeah, I too can feel the pressure even just as 2014 had started. I guess it's because I'm expecting a lot from myself that I should achieve this year. But from what you said, just relax and go with the flow. No pressure at all. :-)

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  5. Happy New Year! Im one of the rare who crack under pressure! I need to get things done ahead of time so that I don't find myself in that situation! I love the diamond reference! Very clever!

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  6. I couldn't work well under pressure. The art of relaxation even when under pressure is definitely something that I want to master

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  7. I can't say I am feeling under pressure currently, but I generally just go with the flow. I try very hard not to let pressure bring me down.

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  8. I too have made goals. My blog is more about stories of my hobbies (i.e. skydiving, paragliding, etc.) and sharing the fun I have with my grandsons - Camp Grandma crafts and traveling with my husband. These goals will help me not to have pressure and be thankful for the progress.

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  9. I love the quotes you used. They really make you think.

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  10. I feel pressure off and on at different times when I have heavy workloads or when the cars need maintenance and that kind of thing. Money makes me feel pressured!

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  11. I'm lucky to never really feel any pressure; I feel like I have everything organised as of right now, but I know how it can really bring people down.

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  12. I have 3 blogs of my own and find myself usually exhausted and stressed out about the writing as well. I fully understand you, but I just love the quote you placed up there.. No pressure, no diamonds. So true! We work hard and pressure ourselves for good reason. :)

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  13. Interesting quotes. Have a happy year

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  14. wonderful blog!!! Looking forward to read your new blogs everyday..
    Thanks for sharing

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  15. I do work well under pressure. In fact, I do my best work under pressure, but I often have a hard time giving myself that pressure. I'm glad that you are motivated this year!

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  16. Wishing you a terrific 2014! It is true, we need contrary winds and pressure to grow and become who we are, inside. But sometimes it's OK to take a break and just enjoy being yourself :)

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  17. I love the comparision of pressure and diamonds.

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  18. Looking forward to 2014. Less stress, less work and more income.
    That's the plan!

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  19. Happy New Year! I feel pressured to lose weight, get back into art and crafting! I do well under pressure... sometimes! Other times I am an absolute mess.
    I can't figure out what NaBloPoMo means! National Blogging Post Month? @_@

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  20. Happy New Year! This is such a great post. I think I'm mostly pressured about starting a healthy eating habit. I a major foodie and I going to hate that I have to limit myself.

    http://fabulousperks.blogspot.com
    http://Blessedbowtie.blogspot.com

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  21. Happy new year to you as well! Just clear your mind and just focus :-)

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  22. I do some of my best work under pressure. But I always seem to wait until the last minute to do things which is never good. Stay focused and I am sure you will accomplish your goals!

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  23. Whenever I feel so stressed, I do remember the fact/motivational quote that 'pressure makes diamonds'! And it somehow inspires me and eventually makes things easier. :) Happy New Year!

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  24. What beautiful diamonds! About the pressure, well, I believe all should experience a healthy amount of stress and pressure in order to achieve success. I plan to handle it by just depending on God!

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  25. Diamonds are a girls bestfriend <3

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  26. Good luck! It sure needs buckets of time.:-)

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  27. Very well written.
    I believe that pressure is a good factor to hone you to be at your best.

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  28. When pressure is on, I strive myself harder and be successful. Just like diamonds! Happy New Year Eliz:)

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  29. Tama. We are the one who's in charge. I should always think about this statement. :)

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  30. Its funny how we seem to put so much pressure on ourselves! I think you need to take a step back and rememeber why you started blogging! It will help bring the joy back!

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  31. Just like the saying, diamonds are made by extreme heat and pressure. Just relax and don't get bothered by the pressure. In time you will shine like precious gems.
    Just the start of the year, there are many projects that needs to be finished. This is the one that gives me pressure for now.

    Allan (www.chemistdad.com)

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  32. True! I can work well under pressure because I think I know how to manage. But sometimes it gets frustrating when something you want to work out doesn't work out! Hay! :D

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  33. True! I think I can handle pressure well, because I know how to manage it. I learned through the years. Just that the frustration comes in when you want something to work out and it doesn't. Hay! :D

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  34. This is a post full of inspiring words. I myself was inspired just by reading it. Great job. :-)
    Happy new year!

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  35. you certainly got a lot on for 2014. All the best

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  36. I think I can handle pressure. There are events in my life that I was able to handle under pressure. That said, I always try to avoid it by being prepared. I like your analogy about pressure and diamonds. Cheers on the your challenges you take on! Good luck!

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  37. exercise! i remind myself to do this all the time but when i have the opportunity to do it, i'd rather sleep or take a nap. but with the recent merriment and the increase in weight, i am compelled to finally exercise, haha!

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    1. exposure to unpleasant circumstances will certainly make anyone wiser if the attitude is right :)

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  38. Love Diamonds and love your post! Happy New Year agian.
    Melgie
    http://wish4less.blogspot.com

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  39. I think i do work well under pressure, I can normally keep my calm and still manage to do my best work :) Right now "work" is where the pressure is coming from and I haven't felt that in a while, so it's all good.

    Happy new Year!

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  40. I wanted to join Nablopomo January too but with the theme - Pressure, I think I can't handle it yet lol. Maybe on February

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  41. I'm just the opposite. I can't let pressure force me to write. That's why I did so poorly in college, I just couldn't be forced to write about things that didn't interest me and that I felt were undone. Good luck in keeping things done!

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  42. I normally blog daily and I feel like when I can't come up with an idea, I scramble for something. I know it wouldn't be the end of the world if I missed a day, but I like to keep up with it, you know?

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  43. I feel pressure here and there but when it really presses down I have to take a step back and refocus or I'll go crazy.

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  44. Well said on that, just go with the flow :)

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  45. This post just reminded me of the pressures I have to face now. Nevertheless, I'll be like that diamond in the end!

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  46. I don't know if it's stress or pressure that I feel in my daily class and daily routine in the school. Blogging for me is a huge help in diverting my worries in what I'm feeling.

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  47. I'm beginning to feel more pressure coming in, now that I'm back to work after my leave. Sometimes it's too tiring to balance career and family life but I guess I'll do good soon.

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  48. "Go with the flow." That's what also my thinking for 2014. I am not good in strictly following a list that's why I opt to just go on with the flow. The more I resist what's about the happen, the more I am losing my motivation. So let it be. Good luck to us.

    Mommy Maye
    www.momaye.com

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  49. Take it easy :) Don't stress yourself too much you might end up wearied.

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  50. There's always a pressure in every walks of life. Its always nice to handle it with determination and success.:)
    http://wish4less.blogspot.com

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  51. I guess that one certainly feel pressure especially if we are pressed for time. However to leave it all to GOD will certainly ease all the pressures of daily life.

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  52. I am glad the pressure I have in my shoulder with my citizenship is now over.

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  53. 2014 indeed started with a lot of pressure from work. Just as you mentioned, take a deep breath, close your eyes and meditate. Hope 2014 goes well for all of us.

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  54. How are you doing with the nablopomo? Hope I will findtime to join and commit next month.

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  55. Yeah, if you think about it, pressure gets us on our toes and makes us accomplish things. :D That should amount to something.... Hehe!

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  56. I keep on adding NaBloPoMo in my tasks list every month but I never get to it. :(

    I am buried with work up to my neck and I might not get to complete even if I started.

    Good luck with the challenge! Take it easy on the pressure. Hehe.

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  57. Agree. Hardshipd make us tough. Ika nga, we are diamonds on the rough

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  58. I love that photo of the image sparkling. Sorry I can't say much about this post Eliz :)

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  59. Relax is the exact thing to apply when the pressure kicks in, and try to focus on the things that you are doing and be patient too.

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  60. I love diamonds, the shape and the spark of it just look amazing..:)
    http://wish4less.blogspot.com

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  61. Sparkling diamonds! the beauty and elegance are unending!

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  62. Sabi nga nila, diamonds are forever. It's a timeless piece kasi.

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  63. When pressure is on sometimes the result is not so good, but try to be more relax and patience and handle the situation well.:)
    Melgie
    http://pinayexplorer21.blogspot.com

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  64. Very inspirational post. I struggle with cutting out the things I don't want to do and adding in the things I NEED to do (like exercise and relax!).

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  65. Lovely reminder. You are a good writer.

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  66. Part of my plan to try to eliminate some stress this year is to be more authentic, to be more me. I'm doing more of what I want to do, and saying no to other things. I'm focusing more on me and what I want to accomplish rather than what I think I should do.

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  67. I always hear students say they work best under pressure but I agree that just because you can work well under pressure doesn't mean that you should. The critical piece is saying no and putting yourself first. Great post! from your SITSGirls Comment Love Tribe

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