SELF IMPROVEMENT AND MOTIVATION

Instead of judging in advance whether or not something will be enjoyable, make the intention to enjoy. And then live the reality of your own intention. Your present attitude does not have to be restricted by your past experiences. Choose an attitude that will bring value and fulfillment, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Let the substance of your life flow from your conscious, intentional choices. Decide how you will live each moment, and then follow through with that decision, no matter what does or does not happen in that moment. The outside world is absolutely real and exerts significant influence. Yet you have even greater influence over the way your life unfolds. Let go of the assumption that certain situations must necessarily engender certain attitudes and responses from you. In fact, turn it around and allow your positive, purposeful attitude to cast a bright and empowering light on every situation. Create your own solid intentions of excellence, fulfillment, joy and eff...

Don’t waste this precious day creating regrets. Invest your time creating value. Don’t work against your own interests by using your energy to feel sorry for yourself. You can use that same energy, and more, to get beyond whatever may be troubling you. The choices you make are what determine the quality of the life you live. Every time you have a choice to make, you have the opportunity to make life richer and more fulfilling. You are immersed in abundance and possibility. Have the presence of mind to see it, and have the courage to make the most of it all. There’s no limit to the number of ways you can make a difference. Remind yourself of that, and remind yourself of all that truly matters to you. Opportunity is yours and it is called life. Now, live it well.

It occasionally happens that you become disappointed in yourself. When that occurs, choose to transform that disappointment into determination. Many times you will become disappointed by the words or actions of others. At such times, you can take the power of that disappointment and transform it into effective, purposeful determination. Experiencing the shortfalls in life can actually give you increased positive energy to create real improvements. You have the opportunity to take a bad thing and transform it into a good thing. Disappointment is powerful because it commands your attention, and focuses your thoughts on what you envision for life. When you feel that happening, what you’re feeling is the chance to make a positive change in your approach. So go ahead, and feel the legitimate disappointment, but don’t let it disappoint you for long. Know right away that you can let it inspire you, motivate you, and create an unstoppable determination. Grab the opportunity that disappointment...

The vast majority of what you consider problems, when viewed in a historical context, are nothing more than trivial inconveniences. That’s because a whole lot of people who came before you made the choice to leave life better than they found it. By the standards of that same historical context, if you’re not improving life, you’re not living fully. No matter where you are or what you have, you always have the opportunity to move life positively forward. You have the capacity to be creative, productive and effective. To the extent you utilize that capacity, you experience life’s richness. Those problems, those trivial inconveniences, don’t have to slow you down for more than a short while. You are far more powerful than any problem that might come along. In fact, the challenges give you all sorts of ways to utilize your capabilities and to create new value. Get out there, meet those challenges head on, and discover how you can connect to the best life has to offer. Step back from the da...

Have a little more patience, and you’ll have a lot less stress. Take a deep, relaxing, refreshing breath, and allow life to unfold as it will.  Don’t take it as a major personal affront if someone else is not as quick or as competent as you would like. Find a way to enjoy the moment rather than poison it.  Instead of being obsessed about what you might be missing, be thankful for what you have. Instead of being so anxious about what’s next, focus on the richness of what’s now.  Let go of the life-wasting need to prove how important you think you are. Put your energy into improving how good and helpful and creative you truly are.  Enjoy the journey, and enjoy the rich, unique qualities of those who journey with you. Expect the absolute best of life, while giving your vision plenty of time to unfold.  Have a little more patience. Give your life and your world, and all the others in it, the time they deserve.

If there’s a problem, work on it. Instead of wishing there was no problem, or complaining, feeling sorry for yourself, or running away from the problem, work on it.  Sooner or later you’re going to have to work on it. So make it sooner, and get the problem behind you.  If there’s something you would like to create in your life, work on it. Work on it, and bring it out of the realm of fantasy into the living reality of your world.  Any situation can be improved when you work on it. Though it does indeed seem simple and obvious, you always benefit by reminding yourself to work on it.  You don’t have to remain stuck, or frustrated, discouraged or ineffective. Work on it, and feel the unique joy of making real progress.  Life is a blessing, and in countless ways you can make it even more so. Work on it, and discover again and again how much good you can do. 

Expressing outrage is a very poor way to show how much you care. In fact, too many people use the dramatic expression of outrage as a substitute for actual caring and commitment.  The way to truly care is not with loud, abrasive outrage. It is with beneficial, sustained effort.  Nobody really benefits from anyone else being offended and outraged. What people benefit from are quiet acts of kindness, encouragement, support, respect and generosity.  Instead of loudly proclaiming your values, consider all the many ways you can live them. Instead of putting on a show, put forth some real, sustained, helpful effort.  Lashing out is a sure sign of weakness. Living with goodness, quiet determination and generosity is evidence of true strength.  Be strong, and skip the outrage. Be strong, and make the necessary effort, again and again, to make the world a better place.