Reminder: Our 6th annual Think Better, Live Better conference just took place this past weekend in Orlando. If you didn’t attend in person, get yourself a full recording of the 2022 live event HERE.
Happiness doesn’t start with a relationship, a vacation, a job… or any external source. It starts with your thinking and what you tell yourself today. Remind yourself of this truth. And remind yourself that the absolute best lessons we learn in life are the lessons we learn over and over again. The human mind needs lots of proactive reminders—lots of practice—to operate effectively through thick and thin. For example, deep down we know it’s OK to…
- Say “no”
- Speak up
- Tell the truth
- Believe differently
- Change our mind
- Prioritize our needs
- Learn from our mistakes
- Embrace our imperfections
- Forgive and seek forgiveness
- Begin again, stronger than before
Yet, we often seek the exact opposite when life gets stressful and we’re under pressure.
We do the wrong things even when we know better.
Because the human mind has weaknesses. It becomes forgetful and insensible when it’s stressed. And the only way to conquer these weaknesses is to practice conquering them.
Now is the time to practice!
Are you ready?
The bottom line is that life will get better when you get better on the inside. Take this to heart. Start investing in yourself mentally and emotionally. Make it a priority to learn and grow a little bit every day by building positive rituals and sticking to them. The stronger you grow and become, the better your life will feel in the long run.
The best ritual for beginning this process?
Daily Quotes and Notes
It’s all about keeping the right thoughts at the top of your mind every day, so they’re readily available on those inevitable days (like today) when you need them most. For Angel and me, that means pausing frequently and reflecting on precisely what we need to remember. We write ourselves little quotes and notes like the ones below (all of which are now excerpts from our books) and then we place them where we can easily see and reference them throughout the day (mine are taped on the wall directly in front of my desk). These bite-sized bits of wisdom keep us on track by keeping our minds centered and empowered with positive, proactive trains of thought.
So, my challenge to YOU is to start practicing alongside us today.
To get started, steal our quotes and notes below—perhaps just the ones that resonate most—and place them somewhere you can see them. Then, whenever you catch yourself feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or confused about the next best step, pause for a minute and quietly read them to yourself. See how doing so gradually changes the way you think through life’s present twists and turns and potholes…
- You can’t control how other people behave. You can’t control everything that happens. What you can control is how you respond to it all. In your response is your power.
- The biggest and most complex obstacle you will ever have to overcome is your own mind. Let that sink in. You aren’t responsible for everything that happens to you in life, but you are responsible for undoing the self-defeating thinking patterns these undesirable outcomes create.
- The goal is to change your response to what you can’t control. To grow so strong on the inside that nothing on the outside can affect your inner wellness without your conscious permission.
- The older you grow, the more quiet and focused you become. Life humbles and enlightens you gradually as you age. You realize just how much nonsense you’ve wasted time on. And you realize just how precious today truly is.
- Train your mind to see what’s right. Positivity is a choice. The peace and happiness of your life heavily depends on the quality of your thoughts today.
- Your struggles are helping you grow in ways you can’t imagine. It might be hard to see right now, but one day you’ll look back and realize things had to happen the way they did to get you to where you are. Trust that today’s challenges will be responsible for your future growth.
- Peace does not mean to be in a space where there is no chaos, trouble, or hard realities to deal with. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still remain mentally, emotionally and physically centered.
- If you wait until you feel 100% ready, you will be waiting the rest of your life. Realize this! Some people wait all day for 5pm, all week for Friday, all year for the holidays… all their lives for happiness. Don’t be one of them.
- Be patient today, but don’t just sit there. Patience in life is not about waiting—it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard for what you believe in.
- Start replacing the phrase “I have to” with “I get to” whenever you catch yourself complaining. So many activities we complain about are things others wish they had the chance to do. Not everyone has the same resources and options right now.
- As you struggle forward in the days and weeks ahead, remind yourself, it is far better to be exhausted from lots of effort, learning and growth, than it is to be tired of doing absolutely nothing.
- Our character is most evident at our highs and lows. Be humble at the mountaintops, strong in the valleys, and faithful in between. And on particularly hard days when you feel you can’t endure, remind yourself that your track record for getting through hard days has been 100% so far.
- Ten years from now it won’t really matter what shoes you wore today, how your hair looked, or what brand of clothes you wore. What will matter is how you lived, how hard you loved, and what you learned along the way.
- If you have the power to make someone happy today, do it. The world desperately needs more of that right now.
- Build friendships with people who aren’t your age. Spend time around those whose first language isn’t English. Get to know someone who doesn’t come from the same social class. Listen. Be humble and teachable. This is how you learn and grow. This is how you see the world.
- You’ll always be too much for someone—too sensitive, too big, too loud… too edgy. And if you round out your edges to make them happy, you’ll lose your edge. Take this to heart! Apologize for your mistakes—for being human. But don’t apologize for being who you are.
- You will never find your whole worth in another human being—you find it in yourself, and then you will attract those from all backgrounds who are worthy of your energy. Realize this. Accept and acknowledge your own worth. Stop waiting for others to tell you how important you are. Tell yourself. And believe it.
- Dozens of times throughout your life, you’ll outgrow what you thought you couldn’t live without, and fall in love with what you didn’t even know you wanted. Life will lead you on hard yet necessary paths you’d never travel by choice. Don’t be afraid. Have faith. Trust the journey.
- It’s not too late. You aren’t behind. You’re exactly where you need to be. Every step is necessary. Don’t judge or berate yourself for how long your journey is taking. We all need our own time to travel our own distance.
- Appreciate your progress today. You’ve been through a lot, but you’ve grown a lot too. Give yourself credit for your resilience, and how far you’ve come.
Use Visual Reminders, Too
Written quotes and notes like the ones above are powerful, but they merely scratch the surface of possibilities for daily self-reflection. For instance, I have my laptop’s desktop background set to a photo of my family, both because I love looking at them and because, when life and work get really tough, these photos remind me of the people I am ultimately working and living for. It’s so simple, but it helps.
I also know dozens of other people who successfully use similar visual reminders on a daily basis. A course student of ours who has paid off nearly $100K of debt in the past five years has a copy of his credit card balance taped to his computer monitor at home; it serves as a constant reminder of the debt he still wants to pay off. Another student keeps a photo of herself when she was 90 pounds heavier on her refrigerator as a reminder of the person she will never be again.
Think of moments when you are most likely to give in to impulses that keep you stuck and take you further away from your best intentions. Then use written quotes, notes, and visual reminders to interrupt those negative impulses and keep yourself on track.
Your turn…
If you’re feeling up to it, we would love to hear from YOU.
Which quote or idea mentioned above resonates with you the most today, and why?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Rowena says
This is amazing! You both are so inspiring. I am so grateful to be able to read this article this morning. A big thank you from the bottom of heart.
Oh, and your course and conference recordings have been an absolute key source of inspiration and guidance to me over the past several months too. So thank you for that as well.
Caroline Musyimi says
All the quotes and suggestions here match my current situation in a interesting way. Thank you. I just saved this and will be referencing it.
Julie A Teeter says
Makes me think of a quote that I have tacked to my bulletin board at work (right in eyesight – I see it every time I look up):
“Leave who you were. Love who you are. Look forward to who you will become”.
It’s never too late to re-write your story….. <3 <3 <3
John Jurkiewicz says
I love number 16! They are all great but this one resonates with me this morning. I’ve struggled my whole life thinking I had to fit in, that there was something wrong with me and I had to keep reinventing myself. It took me 67 years, I guess the real definition of a life long learner but I am finding it’s a very freeing experience for me. It’s okay to be me!!!! You guys have played a part in that transformation. I have always appreciated your wisdom and your honesty. Thank you, very sincerely. Namaste
Evelyn Register says
Number 9 resonates the most with me right now.
Patience is one part of life I really would like to focus on. It’s something your books have been helping me with also, especially 1,000 Little Things.
Agnetha says
Point 16 resonates with me as I refuse to change my ways just to please others. Not happy with the ‘doesn’t come from the same social class’ reference in 15 though as we are all equal.
Lisa Wilde says
#17..!! My life had revolved around people that I was never going to please… husband, mother, clients. After 25 years of misery I divorced the narcissist, sold my business and forgave my mother.
All of your ‘Notes’ are worthy of a good read every single day. I am on the long and winding road of being myself and loving myself. The journey is going to be epic, and your emails and work is helping me along the way!
Gloria Skelton says
Thank you both – your inspiration has carried me through some rough times. Both your gbth course and 1,000+ Things book were guides at my lowest of lows.
As for this post, my most favourite saying I love is ‘THE ABILITY TO DO COMES OF DOING’.
That cuts out many excuses.
Also someone wise has taught me to never use the word ‘try’ cause that factors in failure. I have taught this to my kids and they know whenever anyone says that to them in a conversation they are already having a mindset of failure. Better to say ‘ I will’ .
Have an awesome day, everyone.
Cheers
Gloria
Dez says
Appreciate your progress today. You’ve been through a lot, but you’ve grown a lot too. Give yourself credit for your resilience, and how far you’ve come.
This quote hit me the most because I can actually see the growth in myself so much I cried. To know how far I’ve come as a former group home kid is amazing I can now say with full confidence i am an awesome person an my past is just that. The journey is far from over but I am right where I am supposed to be on my journey an i know it. Marc an Angel thank you so much for your website i couldn’t afford the program but all of your blogs have helped me get there and once I’m in a position I will donate to you because you saved my life when I had nowhere to go to build myself up the universe brought me to you . So thank you with all of my heart. Anyone thats struggling if you read this know your where your supposed to be and it is going to be okay an once it passes you’ll be stronger than you’ve ever been.
Perla milner says
Always thanking you for reminding so many of us to make a difference like you are to so many of us! Reminders and practice definitely make the difference!
Naveen Bommakanti says
Well crafted with full of facts and humble truths. Thank you for these Intuitive Insights. Glad I landed on this beautiful piece in my inbox today.
Sue says
I enjoy your posts greatly for the centering. My favorite quotes are from Rumi: “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it”.
Anne says
This quotes resonates to what I’m feeling these days. “Your struggles are helping you grow in ways you can’t imagine. It might be hard to see right now, but one day you’ll look back and realize things had to happen the way they did to get you to where you are. Trust that today’s challenges will be responsible for your future growth.” And thank you so much Marc and Angel for giving us inspiration and for keeping us motivated especially after a tough and exhausting day. I always feel excited whenever I receive emails from you guys especially every after my work. Keep inspiring others and keep safe as always.
Tammy says
Every single one of these is useful and pertinent for me. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate every email I receive from you two!
Gerry Gleeson says
Thank You …
ALL of these quotes are brilliant, and my 2 favorites are No 2 & 4.
But my personal favorite of all time, which I came across many years ago and stuck it everywhere I could until it became a ‘core’ part of WHO I AM was this from Oscar Wilde: “It matters little what others say or think of me, it matters much what I say and think of myself”. When one allows that to sink deep ‘within’ their mind-set, to their soul level, it is SUPER empowering. Living authentically is the key. You are not boxed in. You are being unique, as you were born, and you do not live your life as a mere copy!!
Love your work. Thank You.
Maria Romo says
Embrace our imperfections- spoke to me needed this reminder today no matter the relationship we can Love the imperfections. This is tough when your a perfectionist. However accepting no one is perfect and loving others and yourself where your at not losing whom you are is a great reminder. Thankful for the imperfections they are part of the process.
Sarika says
Thanks a lot for this wonderful article!! These quotes and notes surely resonate today.
I also love your books! Some of my all-time favs. 🙂
Aneesh Alidina says
Point 8 resonates with me. You can’t always wait until you’re 100% ready, it helps me to remember not to seek perfection but just to keep moving forward. Thanks for sharing these important reminders!
Emma Obi says
The second quote really resonated with me. I have some issues that I have to address by changing my mindset. It’s been difficult but I think I’m making progress.
Thanks for always being so inspirational.
Puna Gasennelwe-Gabakgore says
Jesus is my anchor he keeps be at bay in times of storms!
Nonnie says
Liberating and challenging simultaneously. Now to put it to practice! Thank you!