DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY

Life can sometimes be terribly painful and extremely unfair. When it is, the strongest, most positive and effective response comes from not taking it personally.

Whatever difficulties may come, when you refuse to take them personally you move powerfully beyond the limitations of your own ego. You immediately place yourself at least one level above whatever has happened, and from that vantage point your options are vastly increased.

If someone screams in your face and your reaction is to simply scream back, what have you accomplished? Yet if, instead, you can step back, take your own ego out of the picture, and look objectively at the situation, you can craft and execute a much more effective response.

How do you avoid taking things personally? By keeping in mind that although they may affect you greatly, they do not reflect who you are. Although they have happened to you, they are not an integral part of you. You always have the choice to not take them personally.

That does not mean you do not care. On the contrary, it means that you care enough to put forth your most powerful, effective response.

JUST BECUASE

Just because you don’t know how, doesn’t mean you can’t. There is much you can learn by simply getting started, and you have plenty of ways to learn even more.

Just because it’s difficult and complicated, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. For you are able to make a little progress, one step at a time, then make a little more and a little more, until the goal is reached.

Just because something is standing in your way, doesn’t mean it has to stop you. The fact is, you can take the necessary actions to get beyond whatever obstacles may confront you.

Just because people tell you that it can’t be done, or that you can’t do it, doesn’t mean they are correct. Remind yourself, again and again, that you can do what you choose to do, making use of your commitment, thoughts, and actions.

Just because there is strife and pain and negativity in the world, doesn’t mean you have to give up on life. You can change your own life, and many, many other lives for the better, when you decide to do so.

Just because you’ve been reckless or frustrated or disappointed in the past, doesn’t mean the future has to be that way. Today is a new day, your life is yours to live, and there’s no limit to the goodness and joy you can now create.

ALREADY THERE

What are you waiting for? Whatever it is, stop waiting and start living.

The purpose of your life is already here, so live it. The meaning, the beauty, the opportunities, the resources, the time and the inspiration are already here, so go ahead and make full use of them.

Just dive right in to the substance of life. Start where you are, for the sooner your efforts begin, the more you’ll achieve.

Indulge that persistent longing to be creative, to say what you really mean and to live the reality of what you truly love. Everything necessary is already here, and so are you.

Let go of the excuses and silly rationalizations and let yourself live this day in all its beauty and glory. Stop searching and wondering and start letting your heart lead the way.

Your most promising moment is already here. Grab it and joyfully go with it

DELIGHT YOURSELF WITH AMAZEMENT

Challenge is inconvenient and yet it is so absolutely necessary. Effort is not always fun and yet it gives you access to the good, fun and fulfilling parts of life.

Though in the moment it may seem unfair or tedious or boring or frustrating to make the effort, get past all that. Go ahead and do what must be done, especially including the hard stuff.

Looking back on the effort, it will not look so bad. In fact, looking back you’ll be quite thankful you did it.

So now, when the opportunity is here, do it. Now, when your destiny is begging you to respect it, to follow it and give value to it, get going.

Muscle your way through, or finesse your way through, or do what it takes to get it done. Though at the beginning you may not feel you’ll like it, you will come to like it in a deeply satisfying way.

It is amazing what you can do when you put mind, body and spirit into it. Go ahead, do the hard stuff, and delight yourself with amazement at how great it is.

CHOOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

What limits you is not the way things are. What limits you is the perspective from which you see the way things are.

Change your perspective, and you change your options. Change your perspective, and you can change the world.

If you think the world is filled with unfairness and injustice, and that everyone is out to take advantage of you, that perspective will seriously hinder you. If you truly see life as filled with opportunities and positive possibilities, that viewpoint can remarkably empower you.

The amazing and powerful thing is this. You can choose your perspective regardless of past or present events or circumstances.

Yes, the world is as it is, and objective reality is what it is, no matter what you think about it. However, what you make of that objective reality depends entirely on what you think about it.

Your perspective is yours to choose, whatever the situation. And your perspective will make all the difference going forward, so in each moment, choose the best, most positive, most empowering perspective you can imagine.

WHAT IS RIGHT WITH YOUR LIFE?

Too often, we define our lives by what’s wrong with us. That limits us, and keeps us negatively focused. 

Stop for a moment and consider all the things that are right with your life. Look for the positive things and be sincerely thankful for them.

Gratitude is the cornerstone of abundance. When someone gives you a gift, and you neglect to thank them for it, will they ever give you another? It’s not likely. Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.

You have, within yourself, all the wealth and abundance that you’ll ever need. All you have to do is recognize it and put it to use. And that starts with focusing on the positive.

What do you enjoy about life? When are you the happiest? What do you do better than anyone else you know? What gives you a sense of satisfaction? What is your passion? What would you do if your resources were unlimited?

Answer these questions, and you’ll find the things that are right with your life. Get in touch with them and appreciate them. Find a way to make them a part of your daily life and your work. Help them to grow, and they will bring you fulfillment.

HUMILITY

Humility is surprisingly empowering. Sincerely putting others first is an excellent way to get yourself ahead.

When you decline to grab the credit for the good things you do, others will be much more willing to work with you. When you’re not afraid to admit you don’t know it all, others will be happy to help you learn.

Boasting will never earn you any positive impressions. It mainly makes you look foolish and insecure.

Choose instead to regularly look at life from other peoples’ perspectives. Do what is best not for you alone, but what is best for everyone involved.

It is nearly impossible to achieve real success by being centered only on yourself. The best thing you can do for you is to consider what’s best for everyone else.

Always remember that true greatness does not have to be announced. Live with humility, with compassion and positive purpose, and live with that true greatness.

GIVING

Just imagine how positive it would make your day if you offered a gift to everyone with whom you came in contact. It wouldn’t have to be a material gift, but it could be. It could be the gift of your undivided attention, or a kind word, a smile, or perhaps a helping hand. It would be given freely and willingly, with genuine love and consideration, and with the expectation of nothing in return.

The more you give of yourself, the more you’ll understand and appreciate how very much you have to give. Though most who receive your gifts will appreciate their sincerity, there will be those who won’t. But that doesn’t matter at all. What truly brings value to your life is the giving itself, undertaken with a sense of love and caring.

Give, and your world improves dramatically with each gift. Continue to give, and the positive energy builds upon itself. Think about it, and you’ll see that you have plenty to give. If life seems dreary and pointless, try giving of yourself, and you’ll quickly experience how truly beautiful and meaningful life can be.

LEADERSHIP

The most effective form of leadership is born out of the sincere desire and proven ability to make a positive contribution. Those who lead best are those

for whom leadership itself is not the primary aim.

True leadership is not embodied in a position or title. True leadership arises from an exemplary life of making positive, valuable contributions that inspire others to do the same.

The most successful leaders have no interest in telling others what to do. Successful leaders are those who promote and support conditions in which each person can act with effectiveness and experience fulfillment in his or her own special way.

Great leaders are not those who claim to have all the answers or to solve every problem. Great leaders lead by example rather than by proclamation.

To be a leader, be a shining example. Do precisely that which you would lead others to do, and do it spectacularly.

Leadership at its best enlarges upon the sincere and productive efforts of the leader. Make those efforts the best they can be, and they’ll result in true, effective leadership.

IT'S NOT EASY

Disciplining yourself is difficult. Being truly committed is difficult. Making decisions is difficult. Following through on your promises is difficult. Staying focused is difficult. Doing work is difficult. Planning, organizing, leadership, persuasion, personal development, learning, teaching -- they’re all difficult.

The ingredients of success are difficult. They involve real effort and sacrifice. They’re often tedious and tiring. And yet, they lead to a very positive outcome -- the achievement of something worthwhile, the fulfillment of your possibilities, success and accomplishment.

While the requirements for success are indeed difficult, they do end in success. The alternative is regret, and regret never ends. So today you have a choice. You can do the difficult work, make the tough decisions, follow through on your commitments, and by so doing you bring yourself closer to success. Or, you can avoid all that and lead yourself down the path to never-ending regret.

When tomorrow comes, how will you look back on today -- with gratitude and satisfaction, or with regret. The choice is yours.