If you’re like most folks, you’re trying to avoid pain. Seems reasonable enough, right? The problem is that it’s really impossible to avoid pain altogether. In the book, “THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK by Mark Manson, he explains, “You can either have the pain of what it takes to get what you want or the pain that comes with settling. This pain comes in the form of “what if” questions…in the form of regret.”
Read MoreAre you trying to accomplish your goals all by yourself? In his book “The Happiness Advantage,” Shawn Achor recites a study done about ‘very happy people.’ The top 10% had only one significant measurable common denominator: Social Support. He also mentions something many folks never think about: did you know Thomas Edison had 30 assistants (he did not work alone).
Read MoreCherokee tribe leader is talking to a young kid. The tribe leader says two wolves battle within every human.
Read MoreAre you trying to figure out how to be really happy in life? In a conversation between Mariel Hemmingway (Author of “Healthy Living from the Inside Out”) and Stephen Simon (Founder of “The Spiritual Cinema Circle”), they discussed how ultimately the simplest things fully embraced bring us the most happiness.
Read MoreIn Dan Harris’ excellent book “10% Happier”, he cites an Ancient Arab Phrase: “Praise Allah but tie your camel”. He goes on to elaborate in his own words, “Do what you can to ensure a favorable outcome and then let go. Or, be zen but don’t be a chump.”
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be successful? How do you define it? Who do you know who is truly successful? Stewart Emory, author of ‘Success Built to Last’ deeply researched successful people and came to this conclusion: “Successful people define it differently. They define success as pursuing something that matters to you and inevitably contributes to the world at large.”
Read MoreJerry Seinfeld had a hard time getting his show aired but he trusted his peers (not the general public). His fellow comedians thought the content was really great. “All magicians crave to wow other magicians, it’s the same thing with comedians.” Or as Einstein stated: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Read MoreIn Michael Gelb’s book, “How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci”, there is the following excellent journal exercise: Ask yourself, “What 7 experiences in my life were most influential?” Then, list how you apply daily what you learned from these experiences
Read MoreNietzsche stated: “One should not seek to enjoy where one does not give joy.”
Read MoreJohn Cleese, co-founder of Monty Python was recently talking to Marc Maron on the podcast WTF. Cleese said what he’s learned through the course of his life is that, “The secret to happiness is not to need much.”
Read MoreHow well are you treating yourself. How kind is the voice in your head. Andy Puddicombe, the founder of ‘Headspace’ once said to imaging the following: You call a friend after a date and explain that 10 minutes into the date, the person got up and said, ‘this isn’t going to work. good-by.’
Read MoreOn his podcast, Tim Ferriss often ends with a series of questions for his guests. One intriguing question he asks is “If you could put any message up on a billboard, what would your message be?”
Read MoreWhile talking to Tim Ferriss on his podcast, Tony Robbins discussed the following activity for getting into a different mindset so you can in-turn, discover a solution to a problem you are facing. Robbins said, “Think of an issue that is unresolved in your life. Place your hands over your heart.
Read MoreDo you have a list of things you ‘should’ be doing but aren’t? Why aren’t you doing these things and is the guilt of your ‘should’ list getting to you? In the book You Can Heal Your Life” by Louis Hay, there is an exercise the says: “Complete five sentences that all begin with ‘I should…’. Then read each statement and ask “Why?” Change each sentence to ‘If I really wanted to, I could…”
Read MoreDo you want your apologies to be more effective? Do you know the proper way to apologize to someone? In the book, “Recovery” by Russell Brand, he states: “A good apology is said like this ‘I apologize for what I did.’ A bad apology is said: 'I apologize for how I made you feel.’ The difference may appear slight but the impact could be significant.
Read MoreWhat do you stand for? What actions, values, priorities are non-negotiable in your life? Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What I must do is all that concerns me-not what others think.”
Read MoreHave you had a hearty laugh yet today? According to the book: “The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun” by Gretchen Rubin: ‘Kids laugh about 400/day. Adults laugh about 17/day. ‘
Read MoreHave you been rushing around again today? Perhaps it is worth a reminder to slow down and appreciate all you have and at lunch, be sure to savor your meal. The late Warren Zevon appeared on David Letterman on October 30th of 2002. He had less than a year to live. Dave asked him what he might know about life with the wisdom of his perspective. See 6:58 in of the video. Warren reminds us all to “enjoy every sandwich.”
Read MoreLooking for something novel to do this upcoming weekend? Here’s an exercise outlined in the book, “The Success Principles.” It’s called ‘The Millionaire Cocktail Party’. Here is what you do: spend an evening where everyone at the party acts as if they have already accomplished all their big goals and have achieved millionaire status. Stay in character all night.”
Read MoreAre you feeling comfortable yet unfulfilled. Perhaps you recognize the value of the words of Robert Allen, author of ‘The one minute millionaire.’ He said, “Everything you want is just beyond your comfort zone.”
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