I shared this quote the other day and I felt the need to break it down a bit further to really grasp what it is saying. The quote is from Napoleon Hill, author of the bestselling book Think and Grow Rich, and it goes:
"Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do."
This quote speaks of a passage that everyone must endure on the path to success. We've all felt defeat, some perhaps repeatedly, and I'm quite sure we've all felt some form of failure, too. There are levels of failure. Some are caused by the poor choices we make and others are caused by other factors, many of which are the result of not planning properly. I choose to discuss the failures associated with poor choices. I know that failure.
So, to amend the quote a bit, "When failure overtakes a man, the easiest thing to do is quit." But what does it really mean to quit? You can quit on life altogether; you can quit trying to reach your existing goals; or you can quit setting goals to reach. It is one of the saddest things in life to see someone who has quit. No matter what he has quit.
I resolve to never quit. Life is too precious to quit. My life is too precious to quit. My goals are too important to me and the world to quit. So, in looking back at Hill's quote, the key to avoid this is to avoid letting these failures overtake you. Quitting is the path of least resistance for those who have been overtaken. There is another saying that I repeat to myself time and again. "I am bigger than anything that happens to me." I cannot be overtaken by any event or failure, even if it is the result of my own poor choices, because I am bigger than any event. My life is a journey and this failure is not my destination.
So, the point of this edition is this: no matter how difficult things may seem at the moment develop the mindset right now that you will never have a desire or a thought to quit. It's that simple. If you don't entertain the thought then it won't become an option. If it isn't an option to quit you won't allow yourself to be overtaken. There's no "out" but there is always a seed of opportunity within the failure. Spend your time searching for that rather than looking for the moment you can quit.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Today's RE-Fuel
Yes, it has been a little while since my last post. The reason is I hit a stumbling block. It was a mental block that I let myself fall into when someone close to me criticized my character. I struggled for a couple weeks with this because I let it affect me. There are times when I forget that only I have the ability to build the life I want.
That brings up a question that I ask myself constantly. Can you ever suffer enough failure or rejection to prevent you from succeeding or being happy? The answer, without a doubt in my mind, is NO. Success is, and always has been, simply defined as getting up just one more time than you are knocked down. Leaders throughout history have succeeded despite failure and ridicule because they didn't let someone else point a finger and cast doubt upon them.
Despite all of your past poor choices, all of your failures, all of those times when you doubt your purpose, and all those times when you question whether you have the right to create the life you want, it is always up to you. No one can take away your right to be happy unless you let them.
I've heard portions of the quote below and I wondered what it really meant. Does fear keep us from succeeding? It does if we are afraid to take the risk. It does if we are afraid to step outside the box that others want to put us in. Look at this quote, break it down line by line and come to terms with the FACT that your potential in this lifetime is immeasurable. You are always worthy of success and happiness!!!
That brings up a question that I ask myself constantly. Can you ever suffer enough failure or rejection to prevent you from succeeding or being happy? The answer, without a doubt in my mind, is NO. Success is, and always has been, simply defined as getting up just one more time than you are knocked down. Leaders throughout history have succeeded despite failure and ridicule because they didn't let someone else point a finger and cast doubt upon them.
Despite all of your past poor choices, all of your failures, all of those times when you doubt your purpose, and all those times when you question whether you have the right to create the life you want, it is always up to you. No one can take away your right to be happy unless you let them.
I've heard portions of the quote below and I wondered what it really meant. Does fear keep us from succeeding? It does if we are afraid to take the risk. It does if we are afraid to step outside the box that others want to put us in. Look at this quote, break it down line by line and come to terms with the FACT that your potential in this lifetime is immeasurable. You are always worthy of success and happiness!!!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Today's Fuel
I really dislike drama both in my life and in the workplace. When you reach the point where you start thinking about positivity every day you begin to crave sources of positivity. Conversely, you begin to easily recognize sources of negativity (aka drama). In my opinion, the worst type of negativity is gossip. Gossip serves one purpose--to harm!
Here are two strategies, or agreements, from Don Miguel Ruiz's book, The Four Agreements. The first agreement is from the perspective of the purveyor of gossip: Be impeccable with your word. Choose wisely the words and thoughts you place on other people, and speak with integrity. You have a choice when you open your mouth and form sounds. You can either spread hatred, anger and negativity which only alienates those around you; or you can promulgate truth, love and gratitude which lifts the people around you. It seems obvious to me, but ask yourself who you would rather surround yourself with.
The second strategy is the second agreement from the perspective of the target of gossip: Don't take anything personally. This is a tough concept for me to grasp because I tend to get angry when someone takes advantage of or hurts someone else. But, the idea here is that anything that another person does is because of them and their thoughts, NOT because of you! This seems like a complete contradiction to the philosophy of "an eye for an eye." Think about this concept instead: The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you. This mentality releases you from keeping score of the negativity cast toward you. You will begin to seek out the positive influences in your life and devote your effort to perpetuate the good.
So, here are assignments for this week.
I believe in each and every one of you!
Here are two strategies, or agreements, from Don Miguel Ruiz's book, The Four Agreements. The first agreement is from the perspective of the purveyor of gossip: Be impeccable with your word. Choose wisely the words and thoughts you place on other people, and speak with integrity. You have a choice when you open your mouth and form sounds. You can either spread hatred, anger and negativity which only alienates those around you; or you can promulgate truth, love and gratitude which lifts the people around you. It seems obvious to me, but ask yourself who you would rather surround yourself with.
The second strategy is the second agreement from the perspective of the target of gossip: Don't take anything personally. This is a tough concept for me to grasp because I tend to get angry when someone takes advantage of or hurts someone else. But, the idea here is that anything that another person does is because of them and their thoughts, NOT because of you! This seems like a complete contradiction to the philosophy of "an eye for an eye." Think about this concept instead: The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you. This mentality releases you from keeping score of the negativity cast toward you. You will begin to seek out the positive influences in your life and devote your effort to perpetuate the good.
So, here are assignments for this week.
- Make an effort to end all gossip that comes your way. Break that chain, today! Begin to build your world based on love.
- If you have been "keeping score" of all the bad experiences in your life then wipe that slate clean. Work to become immune to the negative opinions of others so that you can begin to see the positivity that people bring to you. Keep track of these good events and good people, and write a thank you note!
I believe in each and every one of you!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Today's Fuel
I recall a conversation I had with a former boss about performance evaluations and feedback. He was quite a bit older and had been with the company for nearly 30 years. When I told him employees needed positive reinforcement he replied, "When I was new I never needed anyone to tell me I was doing a good job. We just did our job and if we screwed up we heard about it." Really?
I believe in positive reinforcement. I believe in telling people they are doing a good job to perpetuate their behavior. It's the same with my kids. I also believe in positive reinforcement because it just feels good to be positive. I selected a book from my bookcase this morning thinking about this idea. It is called Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Rich DeVos.
The phrases are short, simple and easy-to-use in everyday life. They are:
Many years later, in response to my former boss' comment, I finally have a comeback. This, too, comes from Rich Devos' book. There are enough "expert critics" in the world who only speak up about things that are wrong. "Although people seem to need to vent and grumble at times, they are drawn to the positive and will follow those who blaze a positive trail."
So, today's fuel comes with a challenge. Make a checklist of the phrases above and use them, from your heart, every single day of your life. Look for opportunities to share these words with everyone and watch them light up. You will be amazed at the abundant joy that comes back to you and the happiness that will surround you.
Thank you!
I believe in positive reinforcement. I believe in telling people they are doing a good job to perpetuate their behavior. It's the same with my kids. I also believe in positive reinforcement because it just feels good to be positive. I selected a book from my bookcase this morning thinking about this idea. It is called Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Rich DeVos.
The phrases are short, simple and easy-to-use in everyday life. They are:
- I'm wrong.
- I'm sorry.
- You can do it.
- I believe in you.
- I'm proud of you.
- Thank you.
- I need you.
- I trust you.
- I respect you.
- I love you.
Many years later, in response to my former boss' comment, I finally have a comeback. This, too, comes from Rich Devos' book. There are enough "expert critics" in the world who only speak up about things that are wrong. "Although people seem to need to vent and grumble at times, they are drawn to the positive and will follow those who blaze a positive trail."
So, today's fuel comes with a challenge. Make a checklist of the phrases above and use them, from your heart, every single day of your life. Look for opportunities to share these words with everyone and watch them light up. You will be amazed at the abundant joy that comes back to you and the happiness that will surround you.
Thank you!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Why Do I Call It "Today's Fuel"?
Hundreds of people have asked why I call my postings Today's Fuel. Alright, no one has asked but something happened the other day that I feel is the perfect example of why I chose this name. I was talking to a girl I work with about different books and she made the comment, "you like to read all that positive self-help stuff, don't you?" I replied "yes" and asked if she did. She said, "Not really, I already know all that stuff."
What's funny about my response is that it was immediate. I said, "I do, too, but I think of positive thinking like a campfire. In order to keep it ablaze you have to keep stoking it and adding fuel. These books and quotes are my fuel."
Positive thinking is a perishable skill. In order to prevent this skill from expiring you must keep it fresh in your mind. The entire purpose of these postings is for me to help myself (and anyone else who reads it) keep the fire of positivity ignited. Once you make that leap of faith to believe a positive attitude can change your world the investment of reading or even thinking about this "positive self-help stuff" is minuscule in relation to the rewards you reap.
Control you mind and control your world!
What's funny about my response is that it was immediate. I said, "I do, too, but I think of positive thinking like a campfire. In order to keep it ablaze you have to keep stoking it and adding fuel. These books and quotes are my fuel."
Positive thinking is a perishable skill. In order to prevent this skill from expiring you must keep it fresh in your mind. The entire purpose of these postings is for me to help myself (and anyone else who reads it) keep the fire of positivity ignited. Once you make that leap of faith to believe a positive attitude can change your world the investment of reading or even thinking about this "positive self-help stuff" is minuscule in relation to the rewards you reap.
Control you mind and control your world!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Just a Quote for the Day
This quote caught my eye today and seems to tie in nicely from the last post. Enjoy...
So stop waiting until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...
So stop waiting until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...
Author Unknown
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Today's Fuel
I subscribe to Success magazine and receive email updates as a bonus. Today, while forwarding the email to a close friend, I noticed a Quote of the Week at the bottom of the page. I'm all about a good quote, so I took a closer look. The quote stated: Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.—Napoleon Hill
I got to thinking. It seems we are always trying to get somewhere better. I know I'm guilty. But, doesn't trying to get somewhere better imply we're unhappy where we are now? In my case I feel like I'm at an "in between" stage in my life.
That quote also reminds me of another. Truth be told, this is my all-time favorite quote. There are a few versions but I prefer the version attributed to John Wooden, the former UCLA basketball coach. He stated, "Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out." I find so much meaning in that quote. There will always be a higher paying job, a bigger house, a nicer car or better clothes, but what's wrong with where we are now?
Being happy now and working towards greatness are not exclusive of one another. There are a million things that make me happy throughout the day: Hearing my kids say "I love you"; feeling the sun on my skin; gazing out into the mountains; running along the river; and mapping out my future in my head. I own every minute of my past because it is the road that brought me to this amazing place. I'm happy at this "in between" stage. I'm on the cusp of greatness and it's incredible. Allowing myself to be unhappy now is like hiking a mountain and forgetting to look around on the way up. I refuse to miss out on the blessings that find me everyday.
Could any one of us have made different decisions in our lives? Sure. Would we have been happier? Who knows. In fact, who cares? The past is over, the future hasn't begun and the only thing we can enjoy is the present. So, be happy. Make the best out of whatever situation you find yourself in now. Happiness and joy in the present bring even more happiness and joy in the future.
I got to thinking. It seems we are always trying to get somewhere better. I know I'm guilty. But, doesn't trying to get somewhere better imply we're unhappy where we are now? In my case I feel like I'm at an "in between" stage in my life.
That quote also reminds me of another. Truth be told, this is my all-time favorite quote. There are a few versions but I prefer the version attributed to John Wooden, the former UCLA basketball coach. He stated, "Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out." I find so much meaning in that quote. There will always be a higher paying job, a bigger house, a nicer car or better clothes, but what's wrong with where we are now?
Being happy now and working towards greatness are not exclusive of one another. There are a million things that make me happy throughout the day: Hearing my kids say "I love you"; feeling the sun on my skin; gazing out into the mountains; running along the river; and mapping out my future in my head. I own every minute of my past because it is the road that brought me to this amazing place. I'm happy at this "in between" stage. I'm on the cusp of greatness and it's incredible. Allowing myself to be unhappy now is like hiking a mountain and forgetting to look around on the way up. I refuse to miss out on the blessings that find me everyday.
Could any one of us have made different decisions in our lives? Sure. Would we have been happier? Who knows. In fact, who cares? The past is over, the future hasn't begun and the only thing we can enjoy is the present. So, be happy. Make the best out of whatever situation you find yourself in now. Happiness and joy in the present bring even more happiness and joy in the future.
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