Success Lessons From 2014 - Part 9 - Make Each Day The Very Best

Dear Loving People,

Has it occurred to you that every single day in your life is an opportunity to be your best? We live in a very different time now than we did 10 years ago. No other generation has enjoyed such an impressive shift in technology and lifestyle changes. But guess what, time is running out. I know that is cruel to say, but it's true. For us to forget ahead in a better way, we need to realize that our time is now limited, so we need to make the very best of it. As a matter of fact, time is a tool. It can be manipulated, shared, divided, and saved. There are guaranteed ways to make the most of your time. In your quest for success, you have to realize that time is you most valuable resource. If you learn how to control and use it wisely, you will maximize your output both spiritually and financially.

Mark Twain says, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." Part of the finding out why lies in your capacity to say “No” at times. You must realize that every time you say "yes" to a request, you are in fact saying "no" to something else. Time is yours to use so don't let someone else use it up for you. You will be surprised how easy it is to deflect non-essential requests for your time by others. Simple things like keeping your door shut while working on priority tasks, not answering the phone, and letting people know that you are too busy will help you find more time for yourself.

One fact is that no matter how you plan your time, its not going to be a bed of roses all the times. Dr. Robert Schuller puts it clearly that “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” It’s true that even the toughest of times don’t last forever, and as long as you remain strong you’ll make it through and be able to weather whatever storms come your way. The human spirit has shown that it’s capable of making it through tough times, and getting to the end of the tunnel. The best part of dealing with adversity is that it toughens you up for the next trial in your life. Knowing that you’re only getting better with each new struggle can be an inspiration during those times when you feel like giving up. Being a tough person doesn’t mean you have to be callous, it just means you have an inner strength that’s battle-tested.

Above all, keep in mind the words of David Foster “There is no dress rehearsal. You can either lay in bed all day and feel sorry for yourself or you can get up every morning at 6 and try to make the best of the day.”

Success Lessons From 2014 - Part VI - Get Your Mind In Shape

Dear loving people,

If you asked every ten people you meet, chances are high that you would get a I would say that what goes on inside you (in your mind) is much more important in determining whether you're happy or miserable than any of the outer circumstances of your life. Did I just say that? Yes of course and does what you just read sound reasonable? Do the inner workings of your mind really have a greater effect on you than, say, your possessions or your surroundings? After all, big companies spend billions every year trying to convince you that the opposite is true! In their eyes, your best shot at achieving happiness is to buy whatever they're selling. They appeal to the "if only" mentality: If only you drove a fancier car, lived in a bigger house, wore the best clothes you can find in the market, and used a softer perfumed toilet paper — then you'd be truly happy. Even if you don't believe everything advertisers tell you, don't you believe that the external conditions of your life determine how well off you are?

To get a picture of what I mean, consider the following situation. Two friends of yours, call them Jovi and Joni, take a vacation together to Zanzibar in Tanzania. They stay in the same luxurious guesthouse, eat the same food prepared by the same master chef, and engage in the same recreational activities. But, when they get home and tell you about their trip, their stories sound like they vacationed in two completely different worlds! For Jovi, Zanzibar was heaven on Earth, but for Joni, it was pure hell. For every wonderful experience Jovi brings up, Joni tells you about two awful ones. This situation is hypothetical, of course, but doesn't it sound familiar? Hasn't something like this happened to you or your friends? True stories like this scenario aren't rare, so how can you account for them?

The example (and relevant ones from your own experience) demonstrates that the outer circumstances of your life aren't the only factors or even the most important ones in determining whether you're content or not. If external conditions were more important than the condition of your mind, both Jovi and Joni would've loved Zanzibar, and no rich and famous person would ever contemplate suicide.

The more closely you look, the more clearly you'll see that your mental attitude is what mainly determines the quality of your life. This is not to say, however, that your outer circumstances count for nothing, any more than a person has to give away all of his or her possessions to be a sincere spiritual seeker. But, without developing your inner resources of peace and mental stability, no amount of worldly success, whether measured in terms of wealth, fame, power, or relationships can ever bring real satisfaction. Or, as someone once said, "Money can't buy happiness; it can only allow you to select your particular form of misery."

Cancer survivor Lance Armstrong says: “Real healing meant getting my mind in shape; it meant getting my confidence and priorities in shape, too.”

 

Carolyn Warner adds, “I am convinced that attitude is the key to success or failure in almost any of life’s endeavors. Your attitude, your outlook, how you feel about yourself, how you feel about other people, determines your priorities, your actions, your values. Your attitude determines how you interact with other people and how you interact with yourself.”

Contribute to Your Unbelievable Turn Around

Deal loving people,

Nothing happens is this world that does not take effort. History, until our present time, has been shaped and molded by the efforts of men and women of both renown and obscurity.

Songo is a guy with MBA (Masters in Business Administration). One day he came home so tired and dejected after he had searched for a job to no avail for well over 7 years. He decided to change his strategy and to start somewhere with anything and so got a job as a Gatekeeper at a prestigious company in town.

One Sunday after church service, he was chatting with his Pastor and the Pastor at one moment told him specifically that God will turn his life around sooner than he could imagine. Songo was quick with all conviction to say ‘AMEN’.

Shortly afterwards, the management of his company decided for some unexplained reasons to review all the credentials and job descriptions of all its personnel. That is how they came to discover who their Gatekeeper actually was with regards to education and behold! He was named Deputy General Manager a few days later with all advantages included such as service car, a driver, a company house, a comfortable salary etc.

I know many people will be quick to say a miracle had happen to Songo or that God had suddenly blessed him. Very true but guess what? His blessings did not come out of nothing; it was not just some stroke of luck. He actually worked for it.

Remember that he searched earnestly for a job; irrespective of his education, he humbled himself and started somewhere with as little a job as a Gatekeeper and seeking God’s blessings in church. Summarily, God blessed his efforts.

The Point! God can only bless your efforts or actions that you are taking earnestly towards growth. If you fold your arms and sit waiting for some blessing to change your life out of nothing, Trust me! nothing will ever happen even if you pray all the days of your life. Start doing something, and then you can ask and receive God’s unfailing support.

I read with passion 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) which states clearly that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Do what you can earnestly and leave the rest to God.