It Is Our Attitude at the Beginning of a Difficult Task Which, More Than Anything Else, Will Affect Its Successful Outcome

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Keeping this quote in mind has helped me transform my attitude towards performing certain tasks that don't necessarily rank highly on my list of things I want to do. If I approach a task with reluctance and dred then I have lost the battle before it has begun. If, on the other hand, I reframe my approach then the task is not only easier to complete, but is often times enjoyable.

You can reframe your approach by making one simple change. Rather than saying to youself,

“I dred doing this” or “I have to do this” or “I sure wish I didn't have to do this”

say to yourself,

“I want to do this” or “I look forward to doing a great job”

Reframing our approach allows us to begin and complete tasks in a much more enjoyable and efficient fashion. The end results will often times be better as well. This makes perfect sense as we are more likely to do a better job of completing a task we enjoy rather than one we approach with reluctance. As an added bonus we are less likely to procrastinate when it comes to tasks that we don't dred.

 

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”

William James

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Life’s Rewards Go to Those Who Let Their Actions Rise above Their Excuses

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It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that our achievements are directly linked to the decisions we make and the actions that we take based upon those decisions. It is very easy to put things off because, “the time isn't right” or any other excuse that is convenient to us.

Excuses become a problem when they become a habit. When excuses become a habit we will often times put more effort into crafting our excuses than we do into accomplishing our goals.

Solution: Stop making excuses! Look at it this way, you can make progress or you can make excuses, but you can't do both. Simply deciding your mind once and for all which you choose to be a bigger part of your life, excuses or progress.
You can start by taking one small thing that you've been putting off and doing that thing today.

 

 

 
Life's rewards go to those who let their actions rise above their excuses – David K. Reynolds

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The Bad News Is Time Flies. The Good News Is You’re the Pilot

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This inspirational quote should serve to drive all of us to action the instant that we read it. As time is one of our most valuable assets and most certainly one of our least replaceable, we must strive to make the most of it.

Keep in mind that once today is gone…it is gone forever. Time is like many things in life, either you use it or you lose it.

How will you choose to use your time today? The very best use your time today is typically not determined today, but hopefully before today. Planning ahead helps you use your time more wisely. By planning ahead you do not allow your day to fill itself with tasks of little or no consequence. Remember that, “doing something” is not the same as, “getting somewhere”. When you use your time wisely you will, “get somewhere”.

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.  – Michael Althsuler

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Courage Doesn’t Always Roar. Sometimes Courage Is The Little Voice At The End Of The Day That Says, I’ll Try Again Tomorrow.

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More often than not, courage is not seen on the same grand scale as it is depicted in the movies. Courage is not always displayed in those actions that are monumental, but often in those actions that are steady and incremental.

We are not all in a position to rescue numerous people from a burning building. We are, however, in a position, to perform one of the greatest acts of courage and that is to rescue ourselves.

We can rescue ourselves from:

Procrastination
Self doubt
Making excuses rather than taking action
Negative thoughts and feelings
Lying to ourselves and to others
Excessive eating, drinking, or other habits that lead to poor health
Disrespecting others
Not taking responsibility for our actions
Robbing ourselves of the joy we so richly deserve
Giving up

The courage to change gives us the courage to grow and the courage to grow gives us the courage to move forward and lead a life of significance.

 

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I'll try again tomorrow. – Mary Anne Radmacher

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It Is Better to Feed Two Birds with One Seed Than to Kill Two Birds with One Stone

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I find it interesting how easy it is to get used to using a certain quote or saying or clichéd phrase. For instance, to “kill two birds with one stone” is actually meant to indicate something positive, such as an increased level of efficiency. The same holds true for the saying, “there is more than one way to skin a cat”. This is also meant to indicate something positive such as exercising one's creativity.

Do these sayings seem negative to you…or is it just me? I've used these sayings in the past just as many others have. Sometimes we get in the habit of doing and saying things just because, “everybody does it”. It is important that we look beneath the surface of our words and actions and understand that what we do and say define who we are. We should choose our words and actions carefully so that they have a positive impact on ourselves and others as well.

It is better to feed two birds with one seed than to kill two birds with one stone – Tony Spann

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Keep Your Focus on What You Do, Rather Than on What Others Do Not Do

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If you are a “doer” you may find yourself in situations where the level of action taken by others is not meeting your expectation levels. This can be particularly frustrating as “doers” often times find themselves overwhelmed and feel as if they're doing everything themselves.

You probably remember the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. It is important for us to remember that not everyone is as tough or strong as we are. This is especially true in high-pressure situations. We are naturally disappointed when others do not rise to the occasion and this can lead to resentment.

If we keep our focus on what we do we will accomplish more. It will also keep us from feeling shortchanged or slighted by those who are not doing their part. When you do this you will notice your entire demeanor will change. In the past when you encountered someone who is not doing their part you may have looked at them with disapproval. Now that look of disapproval can be replaced with a smile. You'll find that your negative feelings of disappointment and resentment will start to be replaced by new feelings of peace and tranquility.

Keep your focus on what you do and you will become stronger, more positive, and find yourself more at peace.

 

 

Keep your focus on what you do, rather than on what others do not do. – Tony Spann

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Mile by Mile It’s a Trial; Yard by Yard It’s Hard; but Inch by Inch It’s a Cinch.

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One of my favorite ways approach a difficult or complex task is to break it down into smaller, more manageable, bite-size pieces. A good friend of mine used to constantly remind me that, “inch by inch it's a cinch” when he saw I was frustrated by a particular task. The simple saying stuck with me the better part of my life and has helped me to accomplish tasks which I once thought were impossible.

It's very easy to look at a monumental task and to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume or complexity of work to be done. In the past I have even found myself giving up on certain tasks because I felt overwhelmed. In essence I had defeated myself before I even started.

The first step, of course, is to take the first step (“inch”). Don't let the size or complexity of the task discourage you from getting started. This is easy trap for any of us to fall into and we must avoid it at all costs.

Also don't get discouraged by thinking that your steps are too small. No matter how small your steps are, you must remember that if you keep taking them you will keep moving forward.

“Mile by mile it's a trial; yard by yard it's hard; but inch by inch it's a cinch.”  – Anonymous

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In Order for Us to Learn from Our Mistakes We Must Have the Courage to Admit That We Made Them

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Learning from our mistakes is one of the most valuable things we could ever do. I believe some people refer to learning from our mistakes as, “experience”. Experience has often been called, “the great teacher”.

For some reason, some people have great difficulty admitting that they are wrong. Perhaps this is a phase that all of us go through until we become smart enough to realize that we simply don't know everything.

Please do not fall into the trap of not being able to admit that you have made a mistake and were wrong. Anyone who cannot admit they are wrong is robbing themselves of the ability to become better. This is simply because you cannot grow unless you learn from your mistakes.

It is also a good idea for us to surround ourselves with people who are not afraid to give us constructive criticism from time to time. I'm not talking about those types of people who would constantly belittle and berate us. The type of people I'm talking about are the ones who are not afraid of giving a little tough love when needed.

So remember, when you make a mistake admit to yourself and to others if necessary and then work to move forward. Keep in mind that it is not the mistakes that we make that define who we are, but the actions we take to correct them.

“In order for us to learn from our mistakes we must have the courage to admit that we made them” – Tony Spann

“It is not the mistakes that we make that define who we are, but the actions we take to correct them” – Tony Spann

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Constant Dripping Hollows Out A Stone

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This says so much with so few words. If we think about water dripping on a stone we don't immediately think that the water will eventually shape the stone. Clearly the water is much softer than the stone and its dripping does not carry much force with it.

What the dripping water is doing day in day out, hour by hour, and minute by minute is taking consistent action. Far to often we may put off taking action because we do not feel that our actions will carry the force and power with it necessary to achieve our goals. The key is that we must act consistently. In most cases trying something once simply isn't enough. As the Spanish proverb so eloquently states, “An oak is not felled at one blow”

If we act with the consistency of dripping water we will shape our destiny.

Constant dripping hollows out a stone. – Lucretius

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Don’t Wait for Extraordinary Opportunities. Seize Common Occasions and Make Them Great

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There is an opportunity every single day to excel in some capacity. Rather than waiting for your ship to come in or for the timing to be exactly right or patiently awaiting that lucky break, take action to make things happen. One of my favorite quotes by an unknown author is,”Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.”.

Often times our fears get in the way of the actions we should be taking to, “swim out to our ship”. We may find ourselves repeating such sayings as, “Patience is a virtue” or “good things come to those who wait”. Abraham Lincoln put it nicely when he stated, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

So what will you do today to make a common occasion great? The choice is really up to you. Remember, there really is no time like the present to take actions which will become the foundation for your future.

 
Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. – Orison Swett Marden

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