Problems Suck & People Need to Like Me: And Other Lies We’ve Adopted as Truth

I have to admit that today I’ve been in the doldrums. I’m starting another business which I’ve done successfully, mind you before, but today my thoughts and fears got the worst of me. Obviously when things such as this happen there is only one place to turn…and that is to Oprah. I say this tongue and cheek, as I rarely go on the Oprah site (although I am a dedicated daily viewer), but today I’m glad I did. You see I came across an article that may literally set me free, and you too. If you don’t read anything else all year, you should take time to read Martha Beck’s article called 10 Life Lessons You Should Unlearn.  I mean,  who knew that if all my wishes came true my life wouldn’t be perfect (that I don’t mean sarcastically, not today)? Or, it’s not important to stay happy? I could have saved myself a lot of unnecessary anguish these past 12 hours. The reason why I find this quick read so good is that deep down I believe we all want to do and be something greater than what we are. However, we fail to realize we’re trying to achieve greatness (which is subjective by the way) adhering to cultural deceits, mendacities and myth. So free yourself. Learn the truth. The doors to the prison cell are open we just have to walk out of them.

The Secret to Success: One Day at a Time

As you know most persons (specifically Americans) are almost three weeks into their life changing actions known as the New Year Resolution(s). Now some have already failed to adhere to the self-imposed rigors of their new plight, and others are going strong. I happen to come across a blog post by Wayne Dyer that reminded me of a book on success I read last year by John Maxwell called Today Matters. In essence Mr. Dyer’s post here, and John Maxwell’s book preach the same message. Great lives are made by great days. Changes aren’t made with the future in mind because the future, and the time it takes to get there, plays a psychological battle that very few of us win. If we tell ourselves in each minute of just one day (the day we are in) that we’ll eat right, do those sit-ups, be kinder just for TODAY…that one day inevitably turns to two, to three, to four…and so on. In a blink of an eye you’ve kicked a bad habit, started some good new habits, and changed the trajectory of your life. Resolutions are made, as most changes of life are, on the premise of having obtained a certain goal in the not so foreseeable future. Success is based on meeting the goal everyday, and worrying about whether you’ll make the goal tomorrow, tomorrow. Here is one of my secrets to a great night’s sleep. At the end of each day I ask myself,  “Did I do today everything I could do TODAY to work toward everything I want to achieve for my life?”  Because all I have is today. If my answer is: “Yes,” than it was a day well spent and I’m that much closer to my success (or resolution-whatever you want to call it).