“Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear.” ~ Dan Millman
success
A Reflection on Success and Hope
It doesn’t matter where you live, we often find ourselves rooting for our favorite teams. We give them our emotional loyalty. When they win, we win with them. When they lose, especially a big game, we are devastated. For many, our favorite teams are a part of our persona. They take hold of our hidden dreams to be successful, noticed, and better than the rest. Although we may never achieve that kind of status or notoriety, when our teams win championships it’s as if we did it. I wonder if professional athletes understand how much we depend on them to elevate our spirits and lift us out of the often ordinary struggles with living. In some ways the same applies to us. When we are successful and live life confident that we can overcome any challenge that comes our way, we give hope to those who are frightened and fearful of stepping out and embracing life.
Still Hanging in on the New Year’s Resolutions?
How are you holding up keeping your New Year’s resolutions? Researchers tell us most people quit their New Year’s resolutions within two weeks. That’s neither good nor bad. No one is perfect. It also depends on how we look at our resolutions. We can increase our odds of sustaining our new year’s resolution by cutting ourselves some slack. Let’s say, for example, I resolved to go walking every night after dinner. Today, I came home from work exhausted. All I wanted to do is crash on the sofa, snack, and watch TV. It felt so good when I did it. I’m going to cut myself some slack. Big deal, I took a day off. I’ll start again tomorrow or the day after. I think when we’re kind to ourselves and stop the critical chatter in our brain, we’re more likely to keep on going. Success generally comes in small steps with lots of stumbling between steps. Enjoy the journey.
Every Challenge an Opportunity
Challenge is an invitation to success. ~ Jose B. Cabajar
Today’s Thought: What Gets You Up in the Morning?
Who and what are you working for? I’m competitive and I enjoyed being successful. Being successful was not my main life’s goal.. I was working to take of my family, my wife and five daughters. The girls came so fast I often referred to them as the Cape Kennedy countdown. LOL I wouldn’t trade a moment of their growing up. That’s what got me up each day. That’s what fueled my desire to be successful. I wanted to provide for them and I wanted to be an example for them. It was always about family for me. Although the girls are all on their own and Babe, my wife, passed on, for me, it’s still all about family. What is it that gets you up? Who and what are you working for?
Today’s Thought: Lessons from Hummingbirds
Have you ever watch hummingbirds? There’s a difference between seeing and watching. They are amazing and beautiful creatures. They dart from flower to flower and fly over my yard in the blink of an eye. If I’m on my patio they’ll hover two feet in front of me and stare as they are trying to communicate with me. Watching the hummingbirds do their thing is always a good reminder for me. When I am focused, doing what I was designed to do, I am at peace. As long as I don’t measure myself by what the world believes is the measure of success and instead follow my internal GPS I’ll be successful. I think I’ll step outside for a moment and watch my friends. Perhaps, they’s say hi to me today.
Today’s Thought:
If you want to be the best you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do. ~ Michael Phelps
It’s true, successful people do what unsuccessful people don’t want to do. Sometimes it’s working harder. Sometimes it’s not letting failure stop you. Sometimes, it’s asking for advice or help. All times it’s holding on and refusing to let go, not letting anything shake you loose from going after your goal. C’mon, you’ve got the right stuff. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Prove it by doing the things that other people aren’t willing to do.
Today’s Thought: We Are Free to Choose
“I am not what happens to me. I choose who I become.” ― Carl Jung
Early in my academic career I researched alienation. One of the attribute of feeling alienated is a sense of powerlessness. It is the sense that no matter what I do I can not make a difference or influence something or someone to change. When we buy into a sense of powerlessness we move toward apathy. We fail to get involved. We give up. Healthy human beings understand that life is a struggle. They understand that choices must be made and that there is always something one can do if one wants to act. We don’t have to be powerless. We can choose to get engaged in life. We might fail. We might succeed. It is through our engagement in life that we begin to realize our full potential.
Today’s Inspiring Quote: You Have All You Need
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” — Dr. Seuss
Today’s Inspiring Quote: Push Your Limits
I don’t believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be. ~ Ken Venturi
