Dare To Be Happy

I have kept this article in my files for several years now and came across it recently while cleaning out. Thought I would share it as it has some great advice.

Success is not measured merely by money, possessions or worldly advancement. Most of us will know this already so it is not a new idea. Here's another definition:

"True success means effectively living with others to the height of one's powers, complete fulfilment of one's own nature and personality intelligence, energy and ability"

Here are some tips to help you to be a truly successful human being, to get more out of life on every level:

1. Always think positively - if you keep thinking negative thoughts (" I'll never be able to ... That's not for me ... I'm no good at ...") you'll inevitably reduce all chances of success. If you think you'll lose, you've already lost. Success always begins in the will, ...so at least have a go, enter into things hopefully, cultivate optimism as a way of living.

2. Learn to concentrate - Master the art of detachment, of narrowing down your steady attention to the thing in hand, whether it is for minutes or years. Try to finish one thing at a time. Concentrate can also mean listen, watch, observe, delve, study, go deeply into things that attract you.

3.Allocate time - Time is everyone's enemy, but it has one distinct advantage: it can be measured. Therefore split up and allocate time to the things you want to achieve.

4.Be true to yourself always - There is only one you - so be it to the best extent possible. Respect yourself, go along with your given nature, don't expect to make too many basic changes.

5. Don't waste strength on the unimportant - The unimportant? - fussing, fretting, arguing, bickering, quarrelling, perfectionism, blame fixing, getting even with others, recrimination, etc etc. No one keen to make the best of themselves has time for any of these and to give them your precious strength at the expense of what really matters is folly indeed.

6. Don't be too hard on yourself - you're better, nicer, kinder, more effective than you often think. Raise your self-esteem and keep it up there, nicely high but well short of egotism. Give yourself the occasional pat on the back. Offer yourself the occasional reward. Everything is truly in the mind, so if you keep downing yourself, down you'll go.

7. Make money work for you - money is only a tool or a means, not an end. So whatever money comes your way make it work for you. In other words use it: to improve your education, outlook or knowledge, to expand, beautify, improve, deepen or uplift whatever means most to you. Money spread around a bit is money put to its proper use. Always remember that.

8. Dare to be happy - so many folk are too afraid to claim the happiness that is the birthright of us all. Our lives always move in the direction of our thoughts.

And here's something to put into practice for the week. "I will speak ill of no man ... and speak all the good I know of everybody"

When you catch yourself going to say something that is not 'good' stop yourself, remember this quote and rephrase your words into more positive ones. The person you are speaking about or to will feel much better and of course so will you.