Life Strategies - Make every day count!
One of the top life strategies we should all share is, ‘focus on the significant’. We live in a time when we are pulled in so many directions, we find ourselves focusing on all the little things and not what’s truly important. An old German proverb states, “He who begins too much accomplishes little.”
My all time favorite quote is, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” by Eleanor Roosevelt. Most of our doubts about ourselves don’t come from other people, but years of our own negative thinking. How do we learn to really believe in ourselves? Start by writing down your positive qualities. Now, make a list of all the things you have ever accomplished, including in your childhood years. Some how seeing lists on a page make it more real. Then consider, “what’s the worst that can happen?” We can fail, but is it fatal? Life strategies start with ‘I think I can, I know I can….’
Everyday life strategies which bring benefits to others include what General George S. Patton states, “always do more than is required of you.” Relationships of every kind; family, friend, coworker, or even with store employees, would improve if we ‘go the extra mile.’ It can begin with a simple smile, the gift that keeps on giving.
Some life strategies we learned through experiences as children. Think first, and then speak. Once you speak what you think, it becomes immortal. Ann Landers says, “Resolve to stop shooting from the lip-Words that you have to eat can be hard to digest”.
(Did you know there was a study done on the health benefits of eating chocolate? Personally, I think one of life’s strategies should include eating more chocolate.)
‘Lighten Up!’& ‘Let things go.’ There would be a lot less stress in the world if we followed these two life strategies. Dale Carnegie said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain-and most fools do.” Change what you can; accept the things you can’t, and give the people around you a break.
Another one of life strategies will encourage natural stress reduction. The ability to laugh. It is stated, “If you don’t have a sense of humor, you’ll be angry all the time.” Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.
In his book, The On-Purpose Person, Kevin McCarthy writes life strategies on how to be purposeful. “Purpose is energy. It’s the single most motivating force there is. Discover your purpose, and you will have meaning and significance.”
Strengths of life strategies can reap personal rewards. Spoil yourself a little. Every once in a while, pamper yourself.
Lastly, be happy with who you are. If you want to improve something, improve it. If you need to change, change. This is one of the most important of life strategies. The wise words of Judy Garland say it all. “Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else.” www.JulieAlexander.com for books, tapes, and many more items on this subject.