SELF IMPROVEMENT AND MOTIVATION

When you’re going through a negative experience, it takes real work to see the positive in it. Yet when you can do that work, there’s no limit to the difference you can make. Great achievements very often grow out of great difficulties. Those who see the opportunity, and act on it, truly move the world forward. When you’re buried in trouble, disappointment, frustration and confusion, it seems like you can’t possibly see anything good in it. Yet that good is there, those positive possibilities are there, and when you have the strength and the foresight to look, you’ll begin to see them. One big key is to not take the difficult times personally, even though they may feel extremely personal. Step back, give yourself some objectivity, and you’ll start to see the situation differently. Instead of worrying, complaining or feeling sorry for yourself, adopt a counterintuitive strategy of being thankful. Be thankful for the goodness that will come out of your troubles, and you’ll be able to bri...

Rarely can you make an effective argument just by talking. The way to convince people of your point of view is to live that point of view. Live what you believe, day in and day out. No amount of scolding or cajoling or persuasive rhetoric can equal that. If you have trouble getting people to believe you or take you seriously, it’s probably because your actions don’t completely agree with your words. Do what you say, consistently, without fail, and your credibility will grow. Rather than explain how much you care, show how much you care. Connect with others on a personal level, and be of genuine service. The most persuasive way to talk, is to walk your talk. Let your actions and the way you live your life demonstrate who you are.  What you say can make a big difference, but only if it is fully supported by what you do. Walk your talk, and both your walking and your talking will get great things done

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be responsible, reliable, dependable and level-headed, but don’t get all bent out of shape when you stumble, or when the world knocks you around. It’s foolish to ignore the problems and hope they’ll go away. Yet it can also be powerful to laugh at your troubles and to know that you’ll eventually get yourself far beyond them. Be ambitious, focused and diligent, but don’t beat yourself up when you occasionally wander off track. When it happens, just see what’s there to see, have some new experiences, gain some new wisdom, and calmly move yourself back in your intended direction. Do less complaining and judging. Do more laughing and sharing.  Plan well, and work your plan, but don’t act like it’s the end of the world if things occasionally don’t go according to the plan. Make some adjustments, remember to smile, and you’ll be just fine. Much of life is indeed serious business, but being uptight about it doesn’t add any value. Loosen up, enjoy the mom...

It is tempting to think you can cheat, and receive more out of life than you give. It’s tempting to think you can shortcut the process of achievement, and create great, meaningful value with little or no effort. Even the wisest, most sophisticated, experienced achievers can be tempted by the promise of something for nothing. The problem is, that promise is never fulfilled. Yes, it may seem that you’re able to cheat life for a while. However, whatever you might manage to gain by doing so will ultimately have no value to you. That’s because the real value of life is in the doing, in the creating, in the work, not merely in the possessing. The real value is in making a difference, and there’s no way you can cheat your way to that. In fact, giving in to the temptation of something for nothing will actually put more distance between you and the fulfillment you seek. Though the temptation can be highly enticing, it helps to remember that it will always set you back. What you really want is n...

There is a whole big, beautiful world out there. From where you are, you can gain access to the very best of it. It’s easy to become dismayed when you focus too long on your own immediate surroundings. It can feel like you are stuck, and like all the best opportunities have already played out. Yet that’s not the case at all. Every day, countless numbers of people are living lives of true fulfillment, and that fulfillment is really not so far away from you. Although your choices may seem limited, that’s just because of your limited perspective. Look around, look outward, open your mind and your senses to more of what’s going on in this big, beautiful world. If the news seems to all be negative, that’s because the good things are so common and so pervasive that they are not considered news. Despite the urgings of those who profit from your fear, the world is filled with goodness and value. Step away from your comfortable habits, assumptions and routines. There’s a whole big, beautiful wo...

Remember your mistakes, and what you learned from them, and apply those lessons as you move forward. Remember your successes, and how great they felt, and inspire yourself to create more.  Live in the present, well informed by the past. Work toward a bright future, carrying all the best treasures you’ve collected along the way. Though you cannot change what has already happened, you can choose precisely what to take from it. Let go of the pain, while holding on to the wisdom and joy. Remember where you started, and realize how far you’ve come. Remember how much effort you’ve invested, and honor that investment by building on it in each new moment. Remember all those who have given you love, support, and encouragement along the way. Remember how good that felt, and remember that there are those who would benefit from your help right now. Remember how rich and meaningful life can be. Then step forward and make this day better than anything you can remember.

Today, in the everyday details of life, feel your purpose. Today, as you choose how to spend your time, live your purpose.  Your life has unique meaning and the potential for much more meaning. Stay true to the real, living, authentic person you are, and fulfill that potential.  You know what feels right for you and what feels wrong. Pay attention to that feeling, and remind yourself to stick with what’s right.  Enjoy and explore, learn and love, create, support and empower all that is important to you. You have meaningful work to do, and a beautiful vision to express, and today is your opportunity to do it. Don’t let yourself get too conceited or too dismayed by what others think or say about you. Do what you know is good and right, and in line with your purpose, and all will work out for the best.  Live true to your deeply felt purpose. And you will truly live well.