[success]Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance ~ Tia Sillers and Mark Sanders[/success]
It takes courage to look at your life and decide this isn’t the way you want to live. It takes courage to say no, to release the familiar and embrace the new. Yet, if you want a better future, one that’s different from the life you currently have, don’t be afraid to let go and take a risk. It’s the only way to see a life you didn’t know was possible.
Most people aren’t living the life they want because they haven’t committed enough to a vision, or worse, they haven’t yet chosen a vision for their future, one that’s valuable enough to let nothing stand in their way. Don’t sacrifice the promise of wonderful new experiences for the security of the known. Give yourself a fighting chance at that new and better future by being clear on your vision.
It’s time to get clear and…
- Stop expecting people to be mind readers. It’s true that your actions communicate a lot about who you are, but not everyone is capable of reading the signs. You create a lot of unhappiness and misunderstanding by leaving things unsaid, or expecting someone to know what you’re thinking. Speak up.
- Be consistent. And remember you don’t have to spend your life trying to get the most challenging, or the hardest things done. Follow the 80/20 rule. The simple things done consistently over a long period of time lead to permanent and constant success. There’s nothing wrong with making it easy on yourself.
- Stop putting things off because you think you have all the time in the world. Our time on this planet is limited. Appreciate today and enjoy it to the fullest. Don’t talk yourself out of living your dreams now because you think you have for ever. Don’t do this to yourself. Take that chance. Accept that opportunity. Live well, enjoy that moment, live on purpose. And do it now.
- Stop complaining – it isn’t a good strategy for living a happy, fulfilled life. Have you noticed that those who complain the most often achieve the least? They waste their time and energy on the wrong things, while the right things are pushed to one side.
- Don’t follow the crowd . They often have no clue where they’re going. Be the genuine article. Be yourself. No one can do it quite like you do. You are unique and priceless in this world and without being brave enough to stand up for who you are, you deny the world your gifts. By embracing your true self you radiate beauty and confidence. Let no one persuade you that you are anything less.
- Let go of what doesn’t work. Recognize you have choices in all you do. Some things aren’t fixable. You’ve grown, and sometimes people you’ve known for a long time no longer share your perspective. Sometimes the life you’ve happily led no longer fits. You’ve come to a fork in the road. Be willing to see this and whilst cherishing all your old experiences, be prepared to step onto your new path.
- Try to see the funny side of life. It’s true that laughter is the best medicine. Being amused when something doesn’t turn out as you expected is much better for you than being upset and shrinks the experience to a manageable size. The happier you can be in life, the happier life will be.
- Be willing to fail. Failure doesn’t feel good. Sometimes it hurts a lot emotionally and financially. You can’t let that stop you dreaming big dreams. Failure is the ingredient that adds flavour to success. Try to think of your failures as scientific experiments, simply revealing what didn’t work, not as personal reflections of you.
- Don’t wait for others to make you happy. Choose to be happy now. Put a smile on your face, it’s amazing how quickly your spirit will respond. Your body affects your thinking just as your thinking affects your body.
- Learn to manage the current facts whilst creating new ones in your imagination. While you sit on the sidelines allowing life to simply happen, you’re not living, just merely existing. Take charge, lead the way. You are the power in your world, step up and claim your rightful place. Claim the future you deserve.
- Stop the excuses once and for all. The BS stories you tell yourself are stealing your bigger, better future. Pay attention to the great athletes of the day. They don’t procrastinate or use excuses for not training. They know that training is necessary for peak performance and a great future.
- Living a full and successful life needs equal dedication. Let your vision be the driver of your life. Train your mind to focus on it regularly, and immerse yourself fully in your dream. Don’t wait for a miracle to occur, be the miracle maker.
- Staying angry with someone doesn’t affect the other person at all. You’re allowing another to control your emotions which control the quality of your life. Why let other people kill your joy?
- Follow your heart. Trust your feelings and let them guide you. That’s as sure a path to a better future, and a great destiny as any other.
Your turn. What are you willing to do to have a new and better future? Could you be more focused? Is there something you need to stop doing? I’d love to hear your point of view in the comments below.
And thank you for reading and commenting. Please share if you feel this would benefit someone else.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
31 Comments
No good.
I appreciate your effort, and seriously big hugs lady, but everybody and their dog bangs on about this stuff, including me. Over and over again. Nobody listens, nothing changes. You’ll never change your world view from reading a blog post. Cancer might do it for ya, but you may want to avoid that…
Spend a week watching the world. It’s so crazy and random that rational choices to change your existence aren’t going to work. There are too many variables going on. The only way I have found to really improve my life is to avoid people, and shut up. Literally zip it. That may sound harsh, but I swear to you, and to your readers, if you want change, seek peace and quiet, and stop talking! Absolutely shut up. Most people talk WAY to much. Stop talking and just listen. For a long long time.
Apart from that. Do what you want. You can’t be more chaotic than chaos.
Wow Stewart. You definitely have strong feelings about this and thanks for sharing your perspective. It’s not mine nor is it my experience, but I do respect and value that it’s yours. I think I’m going to continue doing what I want as you suggest and keep writing and keep encouraging and keep growing. 🙂
Hi elle; another amazing post, thank you. I thought it was interesting that you used an image of a woman boxing for this post. that’s a whole other kind of dancing. smile It is important to take those little steps every day, but I seem to be having the other problem lately. I am having to remind myself to take time to meditate, read, exercise, watch tv, talk with family and friends, etc. at least I know I’m doing it, that must be a good sign. in the area of what can i do better i think i sometimes choose between equally important tasks base on which is more fun or easier to do. thanks for sharing the post and have a blessed easter, Max
I like the way you see boxing as another kind of dance…I just wanted an image of someone with a sense of their own power. Funny isn’t it how the simple things that can make all the difference in our life like meditating reading or exercising often get pushed into the background. I’d bet dollars to doughnuts you’ve got lots of company, present company included! 🙂
well, as i understand it a lot of a boxer’s success or failure is determined by the quality of their footwork. i read a book over the weekend, and i just spent 30 minutes petting penny which is a form of meditation as there is very little i can do while scratching that spot she can’t reach. even though the site is doing well based on rankings and traffic; and i feel that i am making lots of progress with the videos; this is the longest i have gone without making a sale. I usually make at least one in the month of january alone as people usually buy and sell their rides and other amusement stuff in the winter. frustration with lack of sales has lead to me pressing more. like you said we all have to deal with this, so thought I’d share. take care my friend, max
Funny Max how those easy things that make our life a whole lot better, like meditating, reading, exercising often get pushed into the background. I suspect you have lots of company, present company included! 🙂
I love this article, Elle! I especially love this sentence *Don’t wait for a miracle to occur, be the miracle maker.* Yes! And celebrate each moment as you are making the miracles (which for me is always around being –and experiencing–love. The rest of life seems to flow from there!
Like the idea of celebrating each miracle that we make and love works in my world too Joy. 🙂
Hey hey Elle, This is fantastic and I have several women in mind that I plan to email it to. The hardest lesson I’ve ever learned is not to depend on others to make you happy. You must make you happy.
As for what I can do to make my future better…I tend to overwhelm myself with too much to do. I need to stop thinking I NEED to be the one to handle eve-ry-thing. I totally have delegation issues. :-/ Happy Monday Elle.
Hi Vanita, So glad you liked it…and I understand about the delegation issues…I remember when. But I’m here to tell you once you start there’s no going back…it’s really cool. I recommend you begin today! 🙂
My favorite part sweet Elle… “Let go of what doesn’t work. Recognize you have choices in all you do.” Your words really resonate with me. I’m inspired to get some great work done today! Thanks so much!
I think “Let go of what doesn’t work” is a powerful concept. I know I’ve ignored that advice and paid the price. It seems intuitive, because it really is, yet it seems that we think we “know better” and then we end up wondering what went wrong and why we always end up in the same place over and over again. Nicely done! Thank you Elle!
Wonderful article, Elle with great suggestions. Having a sense of humor can help in almost every situation. When we are able to share a laugh, we realize that this too shall pass and life goes on. Happiness and laughter do make for a better life. Thank you!
So true Cathy. Often I need to laugh at myself, especially when I begin to take it all far too seriously…I can make a mountain out of a molehill as well as anyone! Not so much when I’m amused by myself though. 🙂
Lucky to have stumbled upon this post…. Such a wonderful article.Thank you..:)
Thank you Preethi for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Much of this is so right on Elle. I just had to give up a client that I’ve been doing consulting work with for 7 years; the team had some changes and it just wasn’t working for me leading to many hours of angst as I tried to fit my square into their new round hole. I feel like a burden has been lifted, but it took courage for me to say, I’m sorry, but this isn’t working anymore.
Hi Linda. Kudos to you. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to stand up for your truth…and funnily enough it often works out the best for all concerned. Way to to. 🙂
Wow. All of the above! I think I could also be more loving, more vulnerable.
Hi Jessica. Isn’t it wonderful when we get a chance to choose our next incarnation on our journey. Being aware is a huge first step, props to you. 🙂
“What are you willing to do to have a new and better future?”
I’m willing to become more and more consistent doing meaningful and productive things in my life. My progress has been dropping off because of the lack of consistency and I really want to change that.
Thanks for the post, Elle.
As I said to Jessica, without awareness nothing changes. How great Wan that you have the intention of reintroducing consistency in your life. It doesn’t take much really…just a little of something that moves you forward every day will do. The good news for us all is that our consistency gives a cumulative effect. Good luck to you. 🙂
I had a similar situation to Linda’s… I had someone I’d been working with for quite a while (that helped give me my start in blogging) and I finally had to go on my own path. What I was doing for someone else was no longer working for me and though it was hard to leave, I feel so much more free!
I recognize that place too Cher. And yes, it isn’t an easy step but the sense of freedom you feel speaks volumes about it being totally the right step to take. 🙂
Elle,
I always love your tips, starting with the first one… don’t expect people to be mind readers. I do this! I hope that they understand so I don’t have to be the one to tell them what I’m thinking! It sounds silly as I write it. I also agree with letting go of what doesn’t work. I’m guilty of this, too. But it sometimes takes me a while to figure this out.
Always good to come and read your blog. Your advice and thoughts always resonate with me.
Hi Betsy…I think I learned that one through a lot of less than lovely experiences. It’s not always easy to remember our uniqueness in our being and no-one can every be a party to every thought in our head. I’ve seen people make themselves really miserable because their loved ones didn’t know what it was they wanted. Once you learn to speak up you’ll be amazed at how easy it really is! 🙂
The first and last one stood out for me, I often forget people can’t read my mind 🙂 I’m allowing myself to be pulled forward with ease, letting go and following my heart
namaste
I notice that’s a common habit too Suzie…I learned some time ago if I’m going to be responsible for my life I had to begin to speak up…nicely of course! Being pulled forward with ease sounds wonderful. Let me know how it works for you. 🙂
I love taking out time to learn, and have tried out many ways to learn faster and focus more that have helped me.
The biggest problem is finding good resources. I like to learn from people who have been there, done what I want to do, who are actually DOING what they are teaching.
And working daily on building up my platform. 🙂
Hello Vrushall…well we are kindred spirits! I like to learn from those who are doing it too. So much more real and authentic than anything else imho. It’s always great to meet fellow travellers on the journey to growth. 🙂
Great…!! that’s great advice good work, I read and also saw your every post, amazing very usefull your post Thank you so much for sharing this and the information provide.