Updated May 2023

Some of the most amazing people in the world have known struggle and defeat and found their way to success and happiness and so can you.

One of the tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. ~ Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s poignant words resonate deeply, urging us to embrace the present and savor the beauty that surrounds us today.

So if you’re struggling with anything right now, remember this you don’t get a harvest without plowing the land.

However, one of the beautiful things in life is that our most difficult challenges can be the most fulfilling. 

You already have everything you need to do more than survive but you can never have too many power tools to support you to struggle less and succeed more.

It’s time you discovered you have wings and can fly. You can discover real joy and happiness and achieve wonderful things. Make up your mind that you can do it and you’ll be well on your way to less stress and more success.

1. Don’t cheat yourself out of today

Live today, it’s all you’ve got. Stop looking ahead for the next moment.

You don’t want to wake up one morning and look back on a life filled with things you forgot to enjoy and cherish all because you were busily focused on what might be on the horizon.

Life is short and filled with truly precious moments, some of which have incredible things in store for you, but you’ll never know if you let today fade away because your attention is on tomorrow.

2. Don’t make life harder than it needs to be

We make life complicated. We’re bombarded with messages that success is hard, that life is a relentless battle, and so our attention naturally shifts towards tackling the most difficult tasks and overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Imagine a different approach, where we prioritize the small, seemingly insignificant actions that often get overlooked. It could be as simple as returning calls promptly, showing up on time for meetings, maintaining integrity in our words and actions and eating healthily.

You might then find that there’s a profound wisdom in tackling the easy tasks first.

It creates a ripple effect, shifting our perspective and setting a new tone for how we approach challenges. As we build a foundation of consistent action and follow-through, we gain momentum and confidence.

Life can be much more than constant struggle, it can become as intricate dance between effort and ease.

Doesn’t just thinking about that feel so much better?

3. Let go when you should

There is an ideal person for you.  Don’t hang on when you can see that the person you’re with isn’t the one. If all you get out of the relationship is one big headache without much fulfillment, then you know it’s time to walk away.

But it’s not just relationships that may require letting go sometimes, we need to release old beliefs that no longer serve us or old unhelpful patterns of behavior which get in the way of our personal growth.

As you recognize old beliefs or patterns of behavior then it’s up to you to summon the courage to break free.

Don’t hesitate. Embrace the transformative power of letting go, and watch as your life opens up to new horizons of growth, fulfillment, and happiness.

4. Don’t worry about getting more stuff

What really counts in life is how well it’s lived. As you fill each day with kindness and love and compassion, you’ll find you receive more of what you want and that every little thing really does add up to bigger things in your world.

By shifting our mindset to one of gratitude and positivity, we invite more goodness into our lives. And before we know it, we’ll look back and find ourselves grateful for a string of wonderful days that have shaped our journey.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, let’s remember that the real treasures lie in the connections we make, the love we share, and the moments of genuine joy and happiness. These intangible riches far outweigh any material possessions we could acquire.

5. Make friends with your problems

Life is not without its challenges. Every person, without exception, encounters problems along the way. It’s a universal experience.And most of us handle them in the same way. We resist and even dread them.

But with just a little shift in perspective we could embrace them as opportunities for growth.

When we bring a mindset of positivity to our challenges, we begin to see how resilient we are.

And the thing to remember is that how we navigate and approach our problems can shape our quality of life

So it might be worth trying to befriend your problems, rise to the occasion, and let your journey be defined by the unwavering belief that you are more than capable of managing any challenge that comes your way.

6. Don’t miss the point of helping others

Helping others helps you.  The beauty of it is that whenever you help others experience their dreams, you will experience yours.

These are the things that give life it’s magic.

Never underestimate the difference you can make in the world, don’t give back, just give.

Don’t be kind because you think someone is worthy. Be kind because it’s who you are, and because you understand the vital difference your kindness makes in smoothing over a rough patch on another’s path.

The thing about helping others is that it is not just about the impact it has on others—it also nourishes our own well-being. It cultivates a sense of fulfillment, gratitude, and inner peace.

So, by embracing kindness as a way of life, we not only transform the world around us but also create a life filled with joy, purpose, and meaningful relationships for ourselves.

7. Resist getting caught in other people’s bad moments

If someone is having a bad moment, don’t allow them to drag you into it with them. You don’t need to take on board the struggle of others.

This is why it’s important to set boundaries and not let their negativity overshadow your own well-being.

And added benefit is that by refusing to have bad days just because your friend is having one, you’re actually doing them a big favor. You’re showing them that it’s possible to rise above negativity and find a more positive perspective.

By offering this new outlook you provide your friend with a powerful tool. The encouragement to look for the silver linings, the small acts of kindness, or the moments of joy that can be found even in difficult circumstances.

You are reminding them they could choose to believe that in each day, in all things, no matter how black they seem, there are fragments of beauty if they look for them, and you too get to experience that positive energy.

It’s a win/win.

8. Discover who you are

Choose to wake up every morning being the person you’d like to be.

If you’re not aware of becoming who you want to be, chances are high that you’re busily becoming the person you don’t want to be. And in and of itself is an added struggle to life.

If you’re not intentional about your growth, you may unknowingly drift away from your desired self.

So invest time in self-discovery, and understanding your values, passions, and strengths.

It helps if you surround yourself with those who appreciate the uniqueness of you and uplift you along your journey.

Discovering your true self is vital because it empowers you to live a life aligned with your values, passions, and authentic desires, leading to greater fulfillment and genuine happiness. And who doesn’t want that?

9. Your success blueprint to struggle less

Once you’ve decided what success means to you, make sure that the choices you make every day are leading you in it’s direction.

Like it or not we’re creatures of habit. And the choices and actions you take over and over become the blueprint for your future.

Concentrate on the things that matter the most to you each day and your lifetime success will be assured. And if you mess up remember every day brings a new beginning and a new ending.

Embrace a blueprint that involves letting go of unnecessary burdens, cultivating a positive mindset, and seeking support, to navigate through life with less struggle and experience more ease and success.

10. Don’t lose hope

You can have what you want. The biggest dreams arrive when the timing is right, when your heart is in it, when the passion is there and when you’re willing to risk it all.

Don’t fall for the lie that there’s not enough to go around. The truth is that if you believe in your capabilities, if you accept in your heart the unlimited possibilities that await you, if you behave as if you’re a powerful, creative being, it becomes your truth.

Remember none of us are born brilliantly successful, we all struggle, we’re all chaotic, love and fear filled human beings and I’d love to hear in the comments below what you’re struggling with and how you navigate through.

As always thank you for reading and if you liked what you saw please share the love.

Encourage one another.

Love Elle

Author

Elle Sommer is the author of 4 books and a workbook. Her latest publications are a series called The Power of Consciousness, and you will find all three books in this trilogy now available on Kindle. She shares quotes, inspiration and positive vibes on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And her greatest desire is to encourage and inspire others to create not just a good life, but a phenomenal life.

23 Comments

  1. Dear Elle,
    What a great metaphor: “…you don’t get a harvest without plowing the land.” I so appreciate how you see things as they are, and at the same time are willing to have the best possible attitude toward it all.

    I’ve struggled with fear all my life, but with all the perspective I’ve gained, it’s so much easier! Like you suggest, I’ve made friends with the challenge and that’s cut it down to size.

    • Elle

      Thank you Sandra, your words mean a lot to me. And I know what you mean about fear and I love what you say that making friends with challenges cuts them down to size. It’s amazing how long it can take some of us to ‘get’ that if we just step back and get a slightly different perspective on things…everything can change. 🙂

  2. Hi Elle; You wrote an amazing piece here. For me I have to remind myself that progress and personal success doesn’t always translate to financial success. I am passionate about my business and the various activities I engage in to promote it. I know that I am learning and growing and in many cases helping others to do the same. And I know the sales and commissions are out there. They just haven’t arrived yet. And I know that there is also a special woman out there for me too. She just hasn’t heard about me yet. At least now I deserve her. Well, for now i have a loving supportive family and a great mut of a dog. thanks for sharing and take care, Max

    • Elle

      Hi Max, so glad things are moving along so well for you. Life is most definitely a process and the more we grow, the more life opens up to us. So congrats to you on your growth. 🙂

  3. Elle what you said really hit home with me. Especially this, “If you’re struggling with anything right now, remember this you don’t get a harvest without plowing the land.” Man, that makes me think. To get to the good stuff, sometimes the surface gets a little unsettled. Many times it feels like an earthquake… Loving your articles as always girl! Thanks for giving me this today.

    • Elle

      Hopefully Melissa your unsettled surface is now ready for planting your new seeds. 🙂

  4. So true that those difficult challenges are often the ones that help up step up and shine and bring us joy and more love and abundance
    namaste xx

    • Elle

      I never cease to be amazed at how much people can do Suzie, once they think they can. 🙂

  5. Hi Elle,
    I believe in making today worth remembering by focussing of the best,and the victories behind me; however modest they maybe.You make an excellent point there about “not cheating ourselves out of today”.I read somewhere that the best way to pep yourself up is to focus on your successes,and keeping a count of them.Just as we don’t paly a baseball game by keeping score of misses, but by keeping count of the hits. We need to appy the same analogy to our lives as well.Keeping score of the successes!
    The best part about problems is …. being positive and calm about our problem.Because You are a marathon problem solver in this life.As long as you breathe you will invarably be doing only this.Solving problems.
    Problem solving is your default programme in life on this planet.There is absolutely no escaping this reality,nor is it sensible to “ostrich it out”.So face your “Goliaths” squarely.And you owe it to yourself to stay calm-happy-positive while you do that.
    Thanks
    Mona

    • Elle

      Good point about acknowledging Mona. Too many of us move on too quickly without any recognition for our accomplishments…I think of this as leaking our success energy when we could be harnessing it towards even greater successes. As always you have wise words to share for which I give grateful thanks. 🙂

  6. Hi thanks for a very encouraging post, I really love reading your articles, you never fail to make me feel so motivated. Don’t lose hope, true indeed, stay positive and all good things will come your way. Thanks

    • Elle

      Glad you enjoy the articles Sherill…I think it’s important to encourage one another as we journey through life. We’re all pretty much in the same boat after all so we might as well make it a good one. 🙂

  7. Hi i really love your post, it is very inspiring, very sincere and real. I totally agree with all that’s been said, Let us all fill each day with kindness and love and compassion, Thanks for sharing a really great article.

    • ElleSommer

      Hello Lynne, I’m so happy you enjoyed it, a grateful that you took the time to say so. Every little bit of encouragement makes for a lot of happiness in our world. 🙂 Thank you.

  8. hello Elle;you wrote amazing inspiration quotes that had touch my heart deeply makes me feel strong and courageous to worldly challenges…….#wise

  9. Hello, i really enjoy coming across GREAT things dealing with PURPOSE and it is very inspiring, very sincere, and real. I totally agree with all of it especially “Don’t lose hope”, i am a published author and just started a website with a blog and I would like to link this in one of my blogs if that’s okay with you because many people need to read this. Thank you , Thank you and Thank you again.

    You can have what you want. The biggest dreams arrive when the timing is right, I believe coming across you and was the right timing!

  10. Happiness and experience never come together in life. Where there is happiness there is no experience, when happiness goes out of our life, then this experience comes in our life. God or nature sends this experience in our life so that we can get the most important Sikh or knowledge in our life. This experience teaches us what we should not have done in the past and what we should have done in the future.
    If seen, this experience gives us the same Sikh that we can move forward in a proper way of happiness and that is why you will not be disappointed if the time of sorrow comes in life. Try to understand why that time came, did it come to teach? If you acquire that knowledge, then the purpose of this experience is fulfilled.

  11. Annaliza Serrano

    Good day Elle, thanks for the article you’ve wrote that somehow ease my pain struggling on what I have been through, I feel hopeless, in distress because I have failed many times in succeeding in doing things that will help me succeed not just in material things and my dreams but also in my behavior and attitude. Can you add a more advise help me coup up about my failures and despairs?

    • Hi Annaliza, I’m sorry life has been so hard for you dear heart. I’d love to help but I’m not a professional and am not qualified to do so. Perhaps reading through more of the articles on the website will help and support you through these challenging times.

      I wish you all the best and send many blessings.

  12. Enter your comment here.. thanks for the advice, am struggling with the ridding business where I also got to go to school in the afternoon…these look so limited to me. so my point is, I wanted to know if you think I could do better since I got only 6hrs for the job. I also must hire every single day. thanks
    @Daniel Chol

    • Hi Daniel, I’m not an expert by any means, I can only speak of my experiences and what I do. The first place I go is to imagine how I want an experience to be, and as I continue to do that I usually find new ideas and solutions available to me. Wishing you every success.

  13. Love this, Elle. I think the most important one, for me, is “Don’t make life harder than it has to be.” It took me a while to learn that one, but I’m so glad I did!

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