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12 Choices Winners Make Every Day

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12 Choices Winners Make Every Day

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must
plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.
-Zig Ziglar

Follow in the footsteps of a winner.  Don’t wake up at seventy-five years of age, sighing over what you should have tried.  Just do it, and be willing to fail and learn along the way.  At least you will know you gave it your best shot.

At the end of the day, whether you choose to go with it, flow with it, resist it, change it, or hide from it, life goes on.  If what you did today didn’t turn out as you hoped, tomorrow is a new opportunity to do it differently, or to do nothing at all.  What’s important is to realize that you have a choice.

Here are 12 choices winners make every day:

  1. They don’t give up on the things they believe in. – If J.K. Rowling stopped after being turned down by multiple publishers for years, there would be no Harry Potter.  If Howard Schultz gave up after being turned down by banks 200+ times, there would be no Starbucks.  If Walt Disney quit too soon after his theme park concept was trashed by 300+ investors, there would be no Disney.  One thing for sure: If you give up on your dreams too soon, you will miss out on seeing them become a reality.  Read Quitter.
  2. They work with, and spend time with, the right people. – A day spent with the right people is always a day spent well.  Sometimes the most ordinary ideas and projects can be made extraordinary, simply by discussing them and doing them with the right people.
  3. They concentrate on the present. – Remember, you can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you.  Today is a new day.  Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny.  It doesn’t matter what you did or where you were; it matters where you are and what you’re doing now.  Never give up on yourself, and never abandon your values and dreams.  As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive.  As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human.  And as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.
  4. They maintain a positive attitude. – Only you can change your life, no one can do it for you.  Happiness always comes from within, and it’s found in the present moment by making peace with the past and looking forward to the future.  Each morning when you open your eyes, think only three things first: Thank you, thank you, and thank you.  Then set out to make the best use of the gift of this day that you can.
  5. They endure the pain. – Maybe there’s something you’re afraid to say, or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere you’re afraid to go.  Maybe it’s going to hurt.  Maybe it’s going to hurt because it matters, and because it expands your horizons.  Remember, pain isn’t always a bad thing; sometimes it’s just another step toward personal growth.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
  6. They ignore the naysayers. – Unless someone has walked in your shoes on the same path that you have traveled, and lived through all of your ups and downs alongside you, they have no right to judge you.  Unless they can look into the core of your heart and see the degree of your passion, or look into the depths of your soul and see the extent of your will, then they have no business telling you who you are or what you can or can’t achieve.  Everyone has a story.  Everyone has unique gifts.  Unless that someone is YOU, their opinion of you means nothing in the long run.
  7. They live through love. – Every human thought, word, or deed is based on fear or love.  Fear is the energy which contracts, closes down, draws in, hides, hoards, and harms.  Love is the energy which expands, opens up, sends out, reveals, shares, and heals.  The only question is:  What choice will you make today?
  8. They accept 100% responsibility for their current situation. – The next five years can be the best five years of your life, or just another five years.  The decision is yours.  The best part of your life will start on the day you decide your life is your own – no one to lean on, rely on, or blame.  It takes courage and strength, but you need to say it: “The gift of life is mine, it is an amazing journey, and I alone am responsible for the quality of it.”
  9. They take action and plant the right seeds. – Many great things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow.  Take positive action and plant the right seeds in your life right now.  Nature herself does not distinguish between what seeds she receives.  She grows whatever seeds are planted; this is the way life works.  Be mindful of the seeds you plant today, as they will become the crop you harvest in the future.
  10. They don’t lose themselves in the commotion. – There are two things you shouldn’t waste your time on: things that don’t matter and people who don’t think you matter.  Remember, sometimes in the midst of all the commotion and negativity swirling around, life will force you to make a choice between losing yourself and losing someone or something else.  Regardless of the situation, don’t lose yourself.  Stay true to your path and keep moving forward.
  11. They appreciate what they have. – Sometimes people throw away something good for something better, only to find out later that good was actually good enough and better never even came close.  Stop long enough to appreciate things.  When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.  When you truly appreciate your life, you’ll find that you have more of it to live.  Read The Happiness Project.
  12. They make a positive difference. – Let a person’s character be their currency and you will sadly find that a lot of rich people are actually bankrupt.  Being the richest man or woman in the cemetery doesn’t matter; going to bed every night knowing that you’re making a positive deference in the world is what matters.

Photo by: Las

Comments

  5. WOW! I really needed this tonight. It fits perfectly with what I’m dealing with at the moment. Every morning I come here to read your guys post to help remind me each & every day that today is another day to focus & enjoy every little thing life has to offer. I can honestly say a cup of coffee & a read from this site gives me the courage to leave the door & ready for whatever comes my way. Thank you for the wake up call guys :] Much blessings to all of you.

    Reply

  6. Waking up each morning and knowing that people are going to tell you that you can’t achieve something is really hard.

    What’s even harder is having to get up regardless of this fact, put on a smile, spend some time to “ground” yourself, set the positivity for the day and then follow the plan laid out the night before regardless of whether motivation is present or not.

    Your post is very inspirational to me. I truly believe that winners are built one day at a time. In order to succeed, we have to push even if we don’t see any movement. We have to take it one step at a time, and if that’s too hard, use a crutch and fake it till you make it.

    Reply

  7. Terrific post! All great reminders – has a lot in common with my post on Life Hack yesterday, 10 Habits of Grateful People! Thanks for the reinforcement! Judy

    Reply

  8. We had to write what success means for homework..and I wrote what I have learned from your website…and even though i do not have many real friends because i am not talking with anyone, because i am shy and lazy..my friends took the paper from me and started talking how incredible i wrote my homework, and how incredible your ideas are…. started complimenting me. Finally our teacher read it out loud and gave me A(5 in our country). I still did not pass the whole class, but I am now resting and solving my problems..reading emotional freedom, the power of now…

    Reply

  9. Quitter is one of my all time favorite books. One of the biggest lessons I learned from the book was to “quit perfect.” It’s what I tell myself when I’m debating whether to click the “publish” button.

    Although I’m not huge on poetry, The Road Not Taken (not to be confused with the book The Road Not Traveled) is one of my favorite poems. Another good one is Invictus. It’s a little dark, but motivating nonetheless.

    Reply

  11. Inspiring! J.K. Rowling was turned down by multiple publishers? Theodore Struessel(spelling?) a.k.a. Dr. Suess was turned down more than 200 times, by some publishers more than once. In fact, one publisher who was an acquaintance actually told him” you can’t draw “, how’s that for persistence.

    Reply

  13. “Being the richest man or woman in the cemetery doesn’t matter; going to bed every night knowing that you’re making a positive deference in the world is what matters.” Some Steve Jobs inspired advice, I see. Good.

    Reply

  15. Its a great post with very important stressed points in it. Some of them brought tears to my eyes – so much it resonated within. Thanks a lot for the awaken call. And also I was very touched by Nijaz’s post. Isn’t it great that young men is so inspired by the wizdom in your post, that it made changes in his own life and, he is not shy to share it with us. Thanks again Marc and Angel.

    Reply

  18. Loved it and the message was something I definitely needed to hear right now, as I start to travel down a different path from the one I was sure I would take.

    Reply

  19. I love these lists. I find all of the suggestions here valuable but especially:

    they don’t give up on the things they believe in.
    they work with, and spend time with, the right people.
    they concentrate on the present.
    and particularly
    they appreciate what they have.

    all the others somehow fall into place.

    Reply

  21. Hi Angel,
    Hi Marc,

    I’ve been following your blog for about 1.5 years now and I just wanted to say thank you for the numerous of inspiring and amazing stories and articles you shared. I truly appreciate every single one of them.

    Greetings from Austria,
    Chris

    Reply

  23. Dear Marc,

    Thank you for this post.

    I think all the points made are great and will try to focus on at least one a day. For instance, something as simple smiling can have a positive effect on my attitude and work performance.

    Reply

  27. Such a great and inspiring website. Each post is so positive and assuring. I wish I had the strength to follow every one of your instructions.
    Even more, I wish I could get my son to be inspired and follow your advice.

    Reply

  29. Great message to start the 2nd half of the year. Marc and Angel, you guys are just too much. Life must experience pains to show that the mind and body is alive. I really like this.

    Reply

  30. Deepest thanks for the posts.

    Could we have a dedicated article about how to be more confident – how to build the “self” – how to be comfortable with ones self – how to stand tall infront of others – how to not be a doormat in the fear that if one exerts one would lose his/her loved one – how to not look for external affirmations – how to accept that in a given situation there is just so much one can do.

    And, most important – how to conquer fears – the fear of losing one’s love at a age when one is touching 40 – the fear of being alone – phew!

    Loads of best wishes
    B

    Reply

  32. ~Reading this from my gf, lisa’s apartment in Taiwan. I am from Singapore.. we are in a 2 year+ old Long Distance r/s..

    thank you for the inspirations ..yet again. I would translate this and what i’ve learnt to chinese Mandarin for Lisa!

    Thank you guys… “)

    Reply

  33. So awesome, spot on, and living it. For me personally, I add giving daily gratitude through prayer every morning and night. Thanks Marc <3

    Reply

  34. Another flawless post guys. Too many people believe that success comes easy. It doesn’t 99%% of the time. If you plotted it on a graph it looks like a roller coaster of trial and error, failures, and small wins. But the more you persist and the more you refine brings you one step closer to that big break.

    Reply

  38. Inspiring! This reminded me to always keep in mind what is important – persevere, remain focused and in the moment, and execute…

    Reply

  39. Amen! I hope some of my loved ones see this and realize how precious they are and how they should spend time with people who love, respect, and appreciate them. Thanks for the post and can’t wait to share it!

    Reply

  41. Ahhhhh… I am satisfied. Another inspiring read to start my day.

    Thank You, Thank You and Thank You

    Reply

  42. I go to your site every morning, to make my day a little better. Your site has been a blessing to me… in one word (thanks).

    Reply

  43. Thank you for helping me and many others able to live life happily. If I could give you guys a great big hug of gratitude right now… 🙂

    Reply

  45. I have no words to express the wisdom you have, your thoughts strikes the perfect note. I am a great admirer of your work. Bless both of you, love u guys 🙂

    Reply

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