Think a little less about managing your problems and a little more about managing your mindset.
Remind yourself that inner peace and progress are both built through tiny recurring victories. It’s the seemingly inconsequential choices we make day to day that either break us or make us whole in the long run. Yes, the fulfillment of our lives ultimately depends on the quality of our daily thoughts and actions.
So as we move forward through the rest of the year, challenge yourself…
1. When a new day begins, challenge yourself to smile genuinely and gratefully.
2. When you don’t get what you want, challenge yourself to appreciate that there are lots of people in this world who will never have what you have right now.
3. When you catch yourself thinking the grass is greener on the other side, challenge yourself to water the grass you’re standing on.
4. When you absolutely can’t control what’s happening to you, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening (in your response is your power).
5. When there seems to be little hope, challenge yourself to find some.
6. When you catch yourself overthinking things, challenge yourself to take a tiny step forward instead.
7. When you are completely uncertain about what the future will bring, challenge yourself to make the best and most positive use of the present.
8. When you have two really good options to choose from, challenge yourself to go with the one that scares you the most, because that’s likely the one that’s going to help you grow.
9. When you are going to do something — anything at all — challenge yourself to do it with your whole heart and soul.
10. When there are lots of excuses for why you can’t get it done, challenge yourself to focus on all the tiny reasons why you must make it happen.
11. When you find yourself wishing for instant gratification, challenge yourself to admit that if you could have it instantly, it would likely not be worth having (for the real value of accomplishment is in the accomplishing).
12. When mistakes are made, challenge yourself to learn from them, laugh about them, and move on.
13. When you find yourself trying to control too much, and thus enjoying too little, challenge yourself to let go and appreciate what is. (Read “Loving What Is”.)
14. When there is needless drama and negativity surrounding you, challenge yourself to walk the other way.
15. When your own negativity tries to break through, challenge yourself to recall that you are in control of the way you look at life, and then try to use your frustrations as fuel to motivate you rather than annoy you.
16. When you find yourself running in place attempting to fix and fight the past, challenge yourself to build and grow something new.
17. When doing the wrong thing is easier, challenge yourself to do the right thing, even if no one else will know (because YOU will know).
18. When everything seems confusing and chaotic, challenge yourself to take a step back so you can see things clearly again.
19. When you meet someone new, challenge yourself to be patient with them, to pay attention to them, and to remember that everyone you meet has something important to teach you.
20. When you don’t like someone, challenge yourself to identify an insecurity within yourself that they are triggering.
21. When a negative situation gets emotional, take a deep breath and challenge yourself to remember that inner peace begins the moment you decide not to let another person or event control your emotions.
22. When someone you meet is lost, challenge yourself to help them find their way.
23. When a friend falls down, challenge yourself to be the first to extend a hand.
24. When a day has come to an end, challenge yourself to appreciate that you have done your very best. (Marc and I discuss this in more detail in the Inspiration chapter of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn to breathe deep, to be present, and to remind yourself that every day is a series of a million tiny miracles. So just keep doing your best to see them today, and every day for the rest of the year. See how inner strength and peace come with letting go of what you assume your journey is supposed to be like, and sincerely accepting and appreciating it for everything that it is.
But before you go, please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this post. Your feedback is important to us.
Which one of the points above resonated the most today?
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, for the rest of the year and beyond.
And Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂
Karin Alvarez says
The perfect antidote to the craziness of the early holiday season. Your refreshing way of turning all the stresses into growth opportunities has helped me immensely over the past few months. Thank you for sharing these positive challenges.
Marc Gauthier says
So inspiring !Thank you.
Zina Mae says
With the guidance I’ve received from your blog emails over this past year or so I’ve gotten a pretty good handle on the first two, but number 3 I need to work on. I still try to hold on to everything — for fear that it will all change, or that it never will go my way. So thanks for the reminder today. Needed.
Stan says
I like these challenges. I usually have a pretty positive outlook, but a few months ago, someone stole some items from my home. This is the first time in over 40 years anything has been stolen. The value of the stolen items is small, but now I have a fear for my safety that I can’t seem to shake off. Maybe a some of these little challenges can help me to overcome that fear. Either way I appreciate it on today of all days.
Kristine Kuprevica says
Wonderful challenges not only for the end of the year, but for every day. Very inspiring – thank you so so much for sharing 🙂
Charmi Lad says
This was a great post. The ones on control resonate with me the most right now. I try to control things in my life which leaves me unhappy and full of frustration. I will try to relax more and go with the flow. I will also breathe the next time I am faced with an emotional situation that turns negative because of an event or person.
Crystal Edmiston says
I totally agree with you as I myself try to control life. Which exactly makes me uneasy and unsatisfied. Perfect doesn’t really exist physically, but only in my perspective. And each of our own perspectives are our reality. So I’m reminding myself to make every effort to be positive and happy in every moment.
Violet Wells says
I share your sentiments… I really enjoy Marc & Angels posts, and many comments following them are after inspiring as well~thank you.
Dave says
Inch by inch, Everything is a Cinch! Great reminders here to reflect on. The first on on gratefulness hits today.
J. Moore says
Where have you guys been like forever? Really your daily advice emails are so often spot on to issues I’m dealing with it’s scary. On the cusp of a holiday season and new year again, these bits of simple straightforward advice have really opened my eyes on much of the BS I’ve been dealing with for years, drama, rude and flaky people, people who disrespect you and treat you like your time isn’t worth much, like being constantly late or not following through on what needs to get done. And the scary thing, these people are adults. This is something you’d expect from a high school student.
Anyway I appreciate this post.
Barbara Altamore says
#4. I found myself getting very upset over some news. I didn’t like that feeling so I remembered that moments before I heard it. I wasn’t upset. So I consciously went back to that feeling of calm and then found it easier to think about the news more objectively. I gave you credit for the reminder. It’s amazing how you two have influenced my ways of thinking by your many daily reminders. Thank you! M & A
Nicki says
I love this. I can’t go a day without logging onto your site here or reading an excerpt from your 1,000 Little Things book. Each time I do , the first thing I read is normally exactly what I need to read.
You guys are definitely Angels in my eyes.
Keep up the good work, and I will do the daily challenges.
Rika Mitchell says
Inspired! I’m not trying to make a huge leap everyday but since some of us are result-driven, we tend to be a bit frustrated if we don’t see a visible change in our lives right away. This post reminded me that it’s those small steps we CONTINUALLY make every day with patience and diligence. Thank you, Marc and Angle, for brightening my gloomy morning. I shall keep moving forward stronger than ever before and welcome what’s ahead with open heart and mind.
Benson Adam-Otite says
I really appreciate.
The point about instant gratification is so real. Anything instant is short term – instant noodles, instant beverages, etc.
Anything that comes easy is not usually worth it.
Lee says
These are all great challenges and I will try to keep them in mind in the coming days and weeks. Thank you.
Susan P Mashburn says
I love 24 the best. Laying down to sleep I reflect on the love and care that I gave to my husband and our pets. I did my best. Thanks Marc and Angel for reminding us that doing our best matters.
Abraham Tersitewold says
Incredibly helpful advice.
G.B. says
I know the right things to do to help myself but it is so hard. Being an over-thinker and worrier is one of my worst qualities. Thank you for being my constant reminder. Happy Thanksgiving
Sharon Mcfalane says
Thank u very helpful
Bruce L says
When the conveniences of so many things in my life don’t go the way I want them to, I gently put myself back into the right state of mind by telling myself, “Wow, that’s a 1st world problem.”
Sue Law says
A refreshing approach to help me deal with the challenges that come my way – Thank you
Anthony Frimpz says
Your point no. 2. resonates so much with me:
“When you don’t get what you want, challenge yourself to appreciate that there are lots of people in this world who will never have what you have right now.”
Keep the fire burning.