It’s all too easy to get in our own way.
Here are 26 key truths to motivate and inspire you to move beyond past dramas, failures, or old truths and remind you that you have the power and the ability to change, refine and be true to your greatest self.
As you do this for yourself you shine a light for others, reminding them of their own potential, their own value and brilliance and that, like you, they’re greater than the life they settled for.
- Be kinder than necessary. When you add up all the little bits of good you left someone with, you wipe out a lot of the sadness in the world.
- You might not have much to give in the way of wealth but you can always give the gift of imagination. A gift from your heart is to see someone as they would wish to be. There’s nothing more valuable than an active heart.
- What happens in your life isn’t what bothers you, the thoughts you have about it cause the problem. Thoughts tend to follow one another, so intervene with upbeat ideas.
- Don’t let lack of confidence stop you trying something new. Get more information, seek guidance and take a step forward and then another. With each step in the direction of your goal, your confidence will grow.
- You’ll never be the master of the universe, so give up trying to control everything. Take control of the one thing that will make the greatest difference in your life…your mind.
- If you spend most of your day feeling unhappy about all the things you haven’t yet accomplished you’re focusing on lack. Expect to get more of the same.
- Remember that balance in life, whilst essential to your well being isn’t a static thing. It isn’t about giving everything the same weight. Life is a dynamic force. Balance is about movement, living in the flow of life and being willing to make it fun.
- Learn to be a better listener. Most people forget that they’re a transmitting AND receiving station. Never underestimate the power of listening. It’s a caring touch that might turn a life around.
- Give up the someday syndrome. Don’t save things for another time, use them now. Don’t put off the visit to your friends or family, make it now. Just because. Life is to be relished.
- Don’t look for things outside yourself to fill a void. Getting things is lovely, but the sense of excitement soon fades. That new car or better job felt great at the time but sooner than soon you realize it was a temporary fix. True fulfillment lies within, take the time to seek it.
- If you’re feeling envious, stop. Don’t worry what others are doing or have, it just gets in the way of your own happiness. Your business is to create the best life for YOU.
- Be comfortable in not always knowing where you’re going. Adopt a growth attitude safe in the knowledge that though there may be dark times you’ll always come out on the other side. Likely a greater version of yourself.
- Don’t burden yourself with regret, resentment or being unforgiving. It’s not worth the price you have to pay in loss of joy and inner peace. Don’t allow others to define your life, cut yourself free from the negative ties that bind…they’re holding you back.
- Step away from the things that divide. No matter the country of origin or ethnicity or beliefs, everyone wants the same basic things: to live a happy fulfilled life with a promising future. Try to look beyond the obvious.
- Accept the gifts that life has to offer. You don’t have to earn the right to be happy. When you intend to be happy you’ll discover life offers you happiness in so many ways. Become aware and see.
- How far can you go? Unless you take the risk to step out and see you’re never likely to know. If you don’t feel a little afraid then maybe the step you’re about to take isn’t worthy of you. Feel the fear and do it anyway is a well worn cliche…well worn because it contains a kernal of truth.
- Develop the ability to quiet your mind and shut everything out. If you train yourself to do this in the middle of the hubbub of life it could be the single most effective tool you have to turn chaos into creativity.
- If you habitually tell yourself I’m never on time, I always fail, I never get it right, I never have enough money, friends, or love you’d better understand this negative chatter will be manifested in your life. Replace this inner conversation with the opposite intention. I’m always on time, I’m confident I can do it, people love me, dollars want me…then be prepared for a world of opportunities to open up for you.
- To be successful you must decide what you want. Remember, you’re choosing the direction of your life. If you can’t decide on a lifetime purpose right now, start small, with what you want for the rest of the year.
- There’s little point in taking everything personally. The things that others say and do often has no bearing on you at all. Most likely they were focused on themselves. The way you react to what they do or say however, is all about you. Your reactions can change the course of events.
- If you give the same amount of attention to your dreams as you do to your fears you’ll be way ahead in the game of life.
- 99% of failures are because someone accepted a temporary defeat as a failure. Press on, don’t be deflected by detours, they’re not a sign that the road has come to an end.
- Accept that your life is what you’ve made it so far. If it’s not to your liking rise to the challenge and begin to make a new one. The greatest forces for change are a burning desire to experience something different and the inspiration to carry it out.
- The winds of change can easily blow you off course without the discipline to keep your eye on the prize. Don’t allow outer distractions to hypnotise you, remain inner directed and true to your path.
- It isn’t the one off thing we do that leads to a great future; we get to where we want to go by what we do on a regular basis. Your habits hold the key to success.
- It’s never too late. Make today the day you value yourself, empower yourself, nurture yourself, love yourself, praise yourself, accept yourself…flaws and all. Your mindset is the compass that leads to a rich successful life.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
27 Comments
To couple with your 6th point. I realized that when I began my day with a negative frame of mind, it continue throughout the day.
I used to just complain to myself in the mornings as I went through my routine. When I started to notice, I didn’t even know where the thoughts came from because they were not always related to what I was doing at the moment.
Then to change I decide to focus on something else when ever these thoughts arose. Then my mood changed. Not just for the moment but for the day as well. How you start it impacts how you’ll end it.
~Lea
I know just what you mean Lea. It’s a great way to start your day, filling your thoughts with joy and plenty and I’m so on board with what you say about the beginning and endings of the days. Nicely put. 🙂
Hi Elle! That was a pretty comprehensive list. When I start to fret or worry in the present about things that *might* happen in the future I usually remind myself of the old saying,”Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives us something to do but doesn’t get us anywhere.” If it’s worry in the present that I am wasting time right now which I could enjoy more if I would just stop procrastinating, I just get off my butt 🙂
Hi Julie, that procrastinating bug has everyone in it’s thrall to one degree or another methinks. The rocking chair is a great analogy for doing something but going nowhere. Love it. 🙂
Hi Elle; what a wonderful list of thoughts to consider. Many of them could have easily been posts all of their own. A couple of things I thought about while reading it. You mentioned that you don’t know how far you can go until you start taking those steps. I remembered the line from the song in pokahantus that goes how tall can the cykamor grow if you cut it down you will never know. And I love what you said about if you aren’t a little scared then maybe the challenge isn’t big enough or the leap isn’t far enough. And often we get to focused on material rewards. I think you know that I have ben working hard to generate more income from my site. who isn’t these days? well I haven’t thought of myself or the site as a failure just not earning enough yet. And my positive mind set results in two other bloggers featuring me in a total of three posts this past week one of them a podcast interview. And there is no way to calculate the value of all the great people I have met or friends I have made since starting blogging. Thanks for the post and take care, Max
You always have such interesting comments Max…that positive mindset will take you everywhere you want to go my friend. Kudos to you and I’m grateful to have you as my e-friend. 🙂
Great list, Miss Elle “Quotable” Sommer! 🙂
As for me, I decide to proactively choose. Every day. I choose to be happy, to work hard, to learn more, to look at the bright side of things, to not be envious, to be kinder. I know that if I start the day with this frame, it’ll turn out great, even if there are hiccups along the way.
You make me smile with that one Glori. Sounds as though you and Lea are soul sisters. Starting the day the way you intend to go on. So important for our happy and fulfilled life.
It’s such a thorough and absolutely wonderful list! My “key to life” is to center into love and gratitude first, then go about my day – integrating much of what you have shared here, and re-membering it when I have forgotten. Essential in my life is to look around, find something to be grateful for and allow that energy to be the current that moves me to the next moment. There is *always* something to be grateful for.
Now that’s a great way to go through life Joy. And it doesn’t surprise me to hear you say that you look around for things to be grateful for. The amazing thing is when we’re on the lookout, how many of them we can find. That’s a great ‘flow’ for you to dwell in. 🙂
I especially like your steps to building confidence, Elle. Most memorable for me is when you suggest we “give the gift of your imagination.” The image of the “active heart” is very beautiful!
Glad you like it Martine. I think we sometimes forget that our hearts play an active role in our life and experiences. 🙂
Great post Elle! I especially like #3 “What happens in your life isn’t what bothers you, the thoughts you have about it cause the problem. Thoughts tend to follow one another, so intervene with upbeat ideas.” I totally believe we can make almost any situation better by changing our perceptions.
Thanks for being YOU 😉
Thank you Melissa. So true, that perception is key in where we’re going in our life. All our reactions/responses stem from the way we perceive things…so it makes sense to change our view and our life looks entirely different. Too simple you think? 🙂
Great list here, Elle. I’m focused on kindness recently, so liked your first one, “Be kinder than necessary.” That solves so many problems. This article is the perfect roadmap through life and worth printing as a reminder! Thanks for all that you are doing!
I appreciate your kind words Cathy…it’s always good to hear that the words we share might make even a little difference for someone. We all need encouragement, motivation and a reminder that regardless of what’s going on in our life, there’s still so much on offer. 🙂
Another list that needs to go onto the refrigerator as a daily reminder. Oh, and “dollars want me”. Yes, they do!
Hi Linda…I have stuff pinned on my fridge, my cupboards, all over the place. I like reminders to keep my focus on the things that make life good, so I know exactly what you mean. I wondered who’d notice the dollars want me bit. It turns our view of wanting money right on it’s head doesn’t it? 🙂
Each and every statement made here is fabulous! You have really changed my way of thinking, Elle, and I appreciate that! I think it makes me a much better person and definitely a better parent, as well. I love the part about being a better listener. I realize that while my teen daughter is the queen of drama, everything she has to say is important to her and I do my best to really listen to her!
Thank you Cher. It warms my heart, truly, that any of my words encourage and support. For all of us on this life’s journey as we shift our perspective and continue to shift it, so too our life experiences shift. Truer words were never spoken than it’s a wonderful life. 🙂
Elle, I am so enjoying your 26 key truths! I found myself nodding to all of them. These have been the lessons that I had to learn at some point or another.
So glad you’re enjoying the article Evelyn. I too find that if I continue to follow along with as many of them as possible in my day, my life shines more brightly. 🙂
Oh, just amazing, Elle! Just amazing! All 26 of these truths are things I need to remember on a daily basis. *sigh. I always leave here feeling so inspired. Nothing more to add, just very happy that you could share this with us!
I can relate to #22 the most. I always fail on job interviews but I guess, I’ll keep going and improving. I’ll not give up on getting a job.
What a great attitude Jessie – with an attitude like that you’ll go far. Trust yourself. 🙂
i read first time but its totally change my think way
good “26 key ” with thanks a lot
Hi Usman thanks for stopping by. I’m glad the article helped. 🙂