Take control of your destiny. Believe in yourself. Ignore those who try to discourage you. Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Your life isn’t behind you; your memories are behind you. Your life is always right here, right now. Seize it! Choose to let each of your experiences today be a gateway to an even brighter tomorrow.
Start doing these things now and never stop…
- Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be a defender of honesty and truth so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the achievements and lessons of today. Give so much time to your own self improvement that you have no time to criticize others. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism part of your religion. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is you.
- Walk comfortably in your own shoes. If you don’t follow the path others want you to follow they might become irritated. Don’t worry about it. Let them be. It’s their problem, not yours. So many people seem to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but have no clue how to lead their own. So focus on your inner callings and keep paving your own path. Remember that it is more useful to be aware of a single strength or weakness in yourself than to be aware of a thousand strengths and weaknesses in others. Read The Untethered Soul
. - Embrace your difficulties. After each difficulty you faced in the past was overcome, you became stronger and more able to meet the ones you face today. Likewise, the difficulties you face today are preparing you for the challenges of tomorrow. As this process of growth takes place remember that there are no mistakes. The events you bring upon yourself as you journey forward, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary steps in order to learn what you need to know to reach the places you’ve chosen to go.
- Focus on the controllable. If you’re feeling miserable and highly stressed, there’s a good chance you have developed an unhealthy attachment to things you have no control over. The first step is to let go of these things – release the stress. You were never really in control of them anyway. Positive change will happen in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over, instead of craving control over the uncontrollable.
- Maintain full accountability for every aspect of your life. When you think problems you have are someone else’s fault, you will solve none of them in your lifetime. Do not allow yourself to be limited by your beliefs. In the end you will achieve what your mind believes. Start realizing that this is not a dress rehearsal. If you’re not learning and improving yourself by taking responsibility for everything you have in your life, then your dreams and desires will stay fantasies. Read The Road Less Traveled.
- Give it all you’ve got. You get what you put in. The amount of effort you give determines the amount of joy you receive. If your life doesn’t please you, do something about it. Take action, change things. Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it. If you can, fly. But if you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. No matter how you do it, move forward.
- Prune nonessential commitments. The mark of a successful person is the ability to set aside the ‘somewhat important’ things in order to accomplish the vital ones first. When you’re crystal clear about your priorities, you can painlessly arrange them in the right order and discard the activities and commitments that do not support the ones at the top of your list.
- Keep taking deep breaths. Don’t allow yourself to be crippled by stress and anger. Everything is only as it is. There’s no reason to let it destroy you. Breathe in, breathe out. Relax. Let every moment be what it’s going to be. What’s meant to be will come your way, what’s not will fall away. And remember that a wonderful gift may not always be wrapped as you expect. Read Radical Acceptance.
- Hold on to your humility. All self-misery has its roots in self-pity, and all self-pity is rooted in taking life too seriously. If you take everything too seriously, especially yourself, you’ll wind up fearing every new step you take. Loosen up and laugh it off if you can – especially when things don’t go as planned. People with a good sense of humor have a better sense of life. You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself and your circumstances.
- Cherish those who have proven their love. It’s a lot easier for someone to be nice to you on a beautiful day when the sun is shining, but in a heavy storm is where you learn who truly cares. That’s why you need to pay attention to who was there for you when no one else was. Because the people who stood beside you through your darkest nights, are the ones worth spending your brightest days with.
- Exercise your talents to give back. Do so whenever you can, because you can. And when you get tired, remember all those people who can’t do what you can do. Think about what they would be willing to give to have the abilities you have right now – a simple gift you take for granted. Then strive harder just for them. And know that there are others out there with different gifts who are doing the same for you.
- Evolve. Just because you liked something at one point in time doesn’t mean you are required to always like it. You can change your mind. You don’t have to pretend to like something as an act of loyalty to who you are as a person, based solely on who you once were as a person. To be sincerely loyal to yourself is to allow yourself the freedom to grow, change and challenge who you ARE and what you THINK at any given moment in time. The only thing you ever are for sure is unsure, and this means you’re growing, and not stagnant or imprisoned by old ways of thinking.
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.Photo by: Marissa
Trey says
Just wow! I let a lot of shared articles slide by in my Twitter stream, but this one stood out like a sore thumb and was right on the money. Thanks.
Kathy says
Good thoughts indeed.
If we change our habits, our habits will change us…
Janice Michael says
Good words of wisdom for a long journey forward…
patti says
Wow, that’s great and so true.
Once again, thank you for a reminder of how to live a fulfilling, joyful, successful life.
You guys are the best!
Dominique says
I wish my mind was an RSS feed of this blog! 😉
Suzanne Chadwick says
Such a great write up. Inspiring, focused, on point… all the things I love! thanks. My favorite quote is “If you don’t follow the path others want you to follow they might become irritated. Don’t worry about it. Let them be. It’s their problem, not yours” It’s so true.
Amy says
I am soooo lucky to have you guys in my life! Please never stop writing.
lhen says
What a wonderful article to start the day… 🙂
Katie says
Another great piece.
PS: Just bought your book! Excited to read it.
Saurabh Banerjee says
You nailed it again Marc.
Just thought to share my views.
Happiness has always been the prime aim of every human being. All your activities are directed towards acquiring maximum happiness in life. However, through the deluded notion that objects will provide happiness, you search for it outside. The result is that in spite of lifelong effort, there is disappointment.
Real and lasting happiness lies within. This is not perceived because the mind is usually completely externalized. As long as the mind is restlessly wandering amid objects, ever fluctuating, excited, agitated and uncontrolled, this true joy cannot be realized and enjoyed. To control the restless mind and perfectly still all thoughts and cravings remains our greatest problem.
Trevor says
Never stop growing. Each of the points you make are choices we have to either step forward or step backwards.
Growth is ultimately what allows us to flourish. And the wonderful thing is, there are just so many ways in which we can grow.
We don’t have to chase it all. We can focus on the things that matter most to us. The things that will bring us the greatest return.
But all growth begins with choice. Your insights make those choices much clearer. Thanks for the inspiration!
Cheers!
Hope & Sugar says
Fab post. We should indeed never stop doing all these things to live a happy life. I am gonna try and follow each of these. I love pt no. 1 the best. Stay positive is my agenda for this year.
Shady Streett says
I’ve always (or nearly so) always saw only the best in people, or believed I was seeing or sensing that. And time and again, that thinking and hoping that they were really good, deep inside, and just needed someone to believe in them, has caused me a great deal of grief. So while I do agree with some of your insights here, I have a hard time swallowing that one.
Amandah says
Giving up a control over the things you don’t have control over is a huge step. So many people are living frustrated and stressed out because they’re trying to control the people and situations in their lives. Sometimes, you just have to throw you hands up and turn it over to God, the Creator, Universal Intelligence, or whatever term you use. Life is too short to be stressed out and worried all of the time. Control what you can: your thoughts, actions, beliefs, and emotions. In other words… the only one you have control over is YOU!
Vanessa Nunez says
I must say simply thank you! This is exactly the message I needed today as I have been feeling the need to Purge the things that have been holding me back. I appreciate your posts and share them constantly. Have a blessed day!
Suzanne says
This is so good. I have to share. You are right on in so many ways with lots of great reminders. Thank you.
David Rapp says
Another great one for binder for the year. #10 is big for me as my closest friends all live 250 miles or more away…busy with family…work…etc. I am REALLY struggling without them. Can I leap forwqard into making new friends? That is my big question for this year.
Marc says
@All: Thank you so much for keeping the conversation going. Angel and I love reading all your comments. Please keep them coming, and we will jump back on here tomorrow and respond to each of you individually. 🙂
sameera says
The intro paragraph is so so true and so so relevant for me… thank you so much. I’m going to print it and put it up where i can see it every day both at home and at office… I want to read it again and again and get inspired by it! The rest too… but the beginning is the best!!!
Lauren France says
Thank you for sharing…like everyone has said and I agree whole-heartedly, it’s an amazing article. I loved reading and having accessibility to all 12 points in one concise article that can share with others. We forget or sometimes shift our focus to consistently live a life full of purpose, happiness, and success, and also forget that we deserve to live our lives to our full potential. Glad I came across your site and article. 🙂
Priya says
Wow!!! Great article. It made me smile… Life is very simple. We make it complicated. Thanks for your wonderful tips and thoughts.
kate says
Thank you again for all the inspiration, sometimes at the end of the day or beginning of the morning, it is reassuring to read these positive words and start your day on a high note. Thank you so very much!
John says
I really thank God for connecting u guys with me, cause it is a testmony that my life has change completely and am different guy cause of your enlightening, inspiring material you post. Thank you.
Israelmore Ayivor says
Thanks for this inspiring post. It helps.
Maria Alexandra says
Been awhile since I commented. I just wanted to break my silence and say thank you again.
Alex A. says
As a Senior in high school I feel as if these tips are really helpful and I should use them during my last semester of high school before going off to college. Number 6 stuck out to me, just because I can really relate to it as well as number 8. Thank you for these helpful ideas.
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) says
Wow, a friend just introduced me to your blog. I’ve subscribed. I love love love this article!
Thank you.
Love and blessings,
Sue
Jackie says
I just want to say “THANK YOU”!!
Marc says
@Saurabh and Trevor: I love the added insight you provided here. Spot on! Thank you.
@Shady Streett: The key is to be nice and expect nothing in return. If a certain someone in your life continues to abuse you in spite of your kindness, it’s time to distance yourself from this person.
@Amandah: Yes, trying to control the uncontrollable is a total waste. Well put.
@Everyone else who gave us some comment love: THANK YOU again!
Todd says
Pruning non-essential commitments has been extremely crucial to cutting the fat from my life. Cutting that clutter is so key to living a leaner and more simple life! It helps to clear the mind, be more creative as well as more effective.
Nick says
If I have energy left at the end of the day, I must be doing something wrong – I just thought this is more like how I need to live, I bet you already live like this, right? 😀
Working on the comfort of my own shoes has been a struggle with me, but it’s a battle I’m slowly winning, progress is slow but sure, and that’s what gets me up in the morning. Stay diligent, Marc (and Angel), your content is world-class!
RED13 says
When you’re torn down, when you’re messed up
Don’t you give in, no don’t you give up
When you’re drowning, and you’re fading
Always know that, I’m always waiting.
Donaven says
Loved this… one of my favorites on this site, which is hard because I favor all of them. Thanks you for everything.
Jane says
I just want you all to know, even though this article and the rest of the beautiful articles help me so much, the comments provide me with hope and get me going as well! Thank you all so much.
Williams Gau. says
You are indeed a complete blessing to this generation, Marc and Angel. You guys are really awesome! I can’t find a single word to compare you guys with, but only ask God to bless your union (family) and as well as your lineage. You are really inspiring to my life. Thank you.