If you want to live a good life – do this.

If you want to live a good life focus on the things that are WITHIN your control and let go of everything else.

Are you doing that?

Do you believe in you?

Who knows you better than anyone? 

You do.

Everyone intuitively knows that each of us has been our own witness our entire lives.

Those who believe in themselves go on to achieve great things.

Those that don’t, don’t.

If you don’t believe in yourself, why should I or anyone else believe in you?

Tough times make better people

“I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled.  Their virtue is lifeless and isn’t of much value.  Life hasn’t revealed its beauty to them. – Boris Pasternak

“In the dark time, the eye begins to see.”-Theodore Roethke

Resilience, endurance, strength, wisdom, ability, self-confidence, courage – all forged from adversity.

Be grateful for what happens.  

It is not happening to you, but for you.

You want to be here – don't you?

Good bad or somewhere in between, where you are now is where you are comfortable.  Otherwise, you would change it.

Sometimes, it’s time to get uncomfortable.

Effort is your responsibility

Sign on the wall of your life – “Effort is your responsibility”.

Talent + effort = skill.

Skill + effort = achievement

Effort factors in twice, and effort is up to you.

Be willing to be bad at it

Many people don’t try new things because they don’t want to look like a beginner and make mistakes.

We are experts being who we are and doing what we always do.  We are good at that.  But that’s all we do.

If we try something new we are not an expert anymore.  We are a clumsy apprentice who hopes nobody is looking.

We are the CEO at the company party looking at the mechanical bull or line dances, but we won’t try it.

“It is impossible to get better and look good at the same time.  Give yourself permission to be a beginner.” – Julia Cameron, The Artists Way

Tell your ego it’s ok, and try new things.

Live like you know what you want

Most people let life’s circumstances determine their path.

But you are a creator.  You just have to know what you want to create.

What are you trying to create in your life? 

Be clear, and decide.

Then get up every day and create it.

Optimizing your self-image

Your self-image is what makes you act like you.

You are with yourself 24/7 and are influenced by your own self talk more than any other factor.

Move in the direction of a better you – when you do something average or something you are not proud of say “That’s not like me”.

When you stretch, break new ground, step up, and/or outperform your average say “That’s like me!”.

Talk better to yourself. 

“That’s like you!”

"No entitlement attitude"

“Money earned ethically is a byproduct of value creation.” – Dan Sullivan

A “no entitlement attitude” means you don’t expect anything to be given to you without creating value first.

Create value for others – you go first.

Be a giver, not a taker

If you are a taker, people figure it out and they don’t want to deal with you much or are cautious if they do.

If you are always contributing, asking, listening, and helping others, you will have more people that –

-are glad to see you

-take your call

-want to be around you

-will help you when you need it

-want you on their team

Be a giver, not a taker.