Life is to be lived!

Thursday September 26, 2013 #562

 

“I believe life is to be lived, not worked, enjoyed, not agonized, loved, not hated.”

 

~Leland Bartlett

 

The quality of our life is dependent on our state of mind, the choices we make about how we experience all we have and don’t have.  Life doesn’t happen to you. You happen to life.  You truly have the power to have good things happen and pass unnoticed or experience joy fully.  You similarly have the power to wallow in the negatives that befall us all, or acknowledge the negative, learn from it and move on. 

 

When you find yourself in a moment of joy, experience it fully and with gratitude, and share the moment with others to magnify the power.  When you find yourself in a moment of defeat, pain, or disappointment, don’t deny it.  Experience it, acknowledge it.  Then ask, “What can I learn from this?”  Don’t forget the lesson, but let go of the negative emotions.  This all takes practice.  Begin today.

Learn, Share, Apply. Repeat.

Tuesday September 24, 2013 #561

 

“Personal development is your springboard to personal excellence. Ongoing, continuous, nonstop personal development literally assures you that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.”

 

~Brian Tracy

 

If you find yourself struggling, ask yourself what you have learned lately and what new method you have tried.  When you finished school, whether it was high school, college, or a secondary degree, did you stop learning?  I find that ongoing success is attributable to a combination of continuous learning and continues application of what I’ve learned.  Learning comes in many forms:  formal courses, reading educational articles, seeking out and listening or speaking to people with expertise in some area you are curious about, and intentional experiences.  Perhaps the most powerful is the latter, but all of these are valuable when done with intention.  None have meaning though if we don’t use what we’ve learned, and share our knowledge freely with others.  Learn, share, apply.  Repeat.

Your success journey

Thursday September 19, 2013 #560

 

“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.”

 

~Kahlil Gibran

 

The people I admire the most are those that do not stop at achievement and success.  For these people, pleasure does not come from the achievement, but rather from the work, the journey toward success. They are most alive when working toward something amazing. When “amazing” is achieved, they barely rest before they are off on the next adventure. This is how I choose to live my life.  I don’t always stay so focused, but this is my quest.  Care to join me?

Your undiscovered greatness

Tuesday September 17, 2013 #559

 

“Man is always more than he can know of himself; consequently, his accomplishments, time and again, will come as a surprise to him.”

 

~Golo Mann

 

There is no way to know what you are capable of until you attempt what seems improbable.  Around us every day men and women are achieving successes, creating wealth, innovating, making lives better, and providing hope where there was none.  What are you capable of?  Find out.  Dare to follow your passions and put the best you to work doing something of meaning.  Surprise yourself with your undiscovered greatness.

What Really Matters

Thursday September 12, 2013 #558

 

“There are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? Over that I have complete control.”

 

~Leo F. Buscalgia

 

You always have a choice in your reaction to what and who you come in contact with.  This is true for wonderful things, ordinary things, and horrible things.  Be sure to be intentional and celebrate wonderful, find something remarkable in the ordinary, and determine the lesson from the horrible.  Failure to live this way is a victim’s approach.  You are not a victim.  You have infinite potential.  Choose your attitude.

Aiming High

Tuesday September 10, 2013 #557

 

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.”

 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

This is a time-tested truth:  Always aim to achieve results greater than required.  If you do, it is highly likely you will always achieve at least what is expected and often much more.  In so doing, your achievements will bring you success, and likely appropriate rewards.  If you only aim at what is expected, you are guaranteed only ‘satisfactory’ results and will often achieve less than expected.  This is a recipe for mediocrity at best, and failure at worst.  Aim high and achieve beyond your dreams.

Asking For Help

Thursday September 5, 2013 #556

 “Once you’ve taken the time to figure out what your mission is and where you want to get to, the next step is to identify the people who can help you get there.”

 ~Keith Ferrazzi

 Many people do a good job of determining what is important to them and crafting strong goals.  The fact most forget or neglect, however, is that almost no one achieves on their own.  It is only with and through others that great things are achieved.  If you are serious about goal achievement, don’t stop at working at your goal alone.  Think deeply on people you know or need to know who could be instrumental in helping you achieve your goal and begin to engage them.  Be direct.  Tell them what you are trying to do and why you would appreciate their help.  It could be time, it could be advice, or it could be resources.  Always reciprocate and ask what you can do to help them with their goals, even if you are their subordinate.  It is amazing what can be achieved when we help each other!

 Today’s quote shared by David K Aaker, U.S. national public speaker on customer service, leadership and business ethics.  www.davidkaaker.com

Open Mind, Open Heart

Tuesday September 3, 2013 #555

 

“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?”

 

~John Maynard Keynes

 

There is a tendency in much of society toward rigid belief systems, whether political, religious, technology preferences, and more.  Individuals determine there is only one truth and refuse to entertain the notion of a different point of view, despite factual evidence – to the point of refusal to listen and even violence.  I personally cannot understand this thinking and I hope you are also able to entertain differing views even on emotionally charged subjects.  No one person or one philosophy has the right to claim ultimate truth as there will always be new information, changing context, evolving cultural norms, new scientific discoveries, and more.  The greatness and the promise of our species is our ability to imagine possibilities and strive for better understanding. This can only be done with an open mind and an open heart.  Don’t fall prey to the lure of “ultimate truth” and those who espouse it.  Stay open.  Keep evolving.