“When people ask me what really changed my life eight years ago, I tell them that absolutely the most important thing was changing what I demanded of myself.” – Anthony Robbins in Awaken the Giant Within

In the long run, some little things can turn out to mean a lot. Constantly demanding of yourself that you give that little additional effort in most things that you do is certainly one of those “little things” that can make a huge difference in your life.

When we read the biography of successful men and women, one thing soon becomes evident and that is the fact that these people had no room for complacency in their life. They always gave that extra effort and went the extra mile in everything that they did.

Doing our job and doing it well, is no longer enough. It will not even guarantee that we’ll keep that job. There probably are already ten people waiting to take our place at the least sign of faltering.

Even doing an excellent job won’t attract attention or prepare the stage for a promotion. We are expected to do an excellent job and that’s what most people do. So, why should that be ground for advancement?

If we wish to get ahead, there is only one thing that will do it and that’s by being outstanding at what we do. Being outstanding is what spells the difference between a very ordinary life and the life that most of us dream about.

No one ever got to be outstanding overnight. It’s a cumulative process that takes character, dedication and the will to become all that we can be. We don’t get to be outstanding by wishing that we were; we get to be outstanding by demanding a little more of ourselves everyday of our life.

Demanding a little more of ourselves is a state of mind that is created by habit. If we practice demanding a bit more of ourselves for as little as a month, it turns out into a personal characteristic; it becomes part of our personality, part of the way that we see ourselves.

We expect a lot from the people that we admire so why should we not also expect a lot from ourselves? All that it takes is some discipline and some motivation… both of which come naturally when we have a clear vision of what the final outcome will be.

Anything is possible when we have a big enough reason to do it. How hard would you be willing to work if you were certain that ten years down the line you would enjoy the type of life that you’ve always dreamed off?

That life is out there just waiting for you to pay the price. The future is predictable; we are creating it today. We’ve all heard the proverb, “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” There is more truth than poetry in those words.

If we plant our garden carefully and tend to it with care, we can expect a bountiful crop; if it is planted in haste and only given minimum care, we can only expect meager results. In the end, life follows a logical path of action/reaction; there is nothing mystical about it.

Tomorrow’s success begins with demanding a little more from ourselves today. It’s that little extra effort that will make all the difference on the final outcome. It’s by being a little more that we’ll do more, accomplish more and eventually receive more.

By Lena Edwards

So you’re here…living your life and doing the best that you can. As none of us received any set instructions, nor we were born with any real guidelines to follow, the most we can do is gather our experiences, listen to others and educate ourselves to lead a fulfilling and satisfying lives whatever that means to us. Despite the hardest of attempts and our good intentions we are often left feeling that there is something missing in our lives or that we simply lack purpose.

This step by step guide had been passed on to me by my grandfather who in turn received it from his father. The exact origins of the text are unknown to me but as I found the message it carries to be so powerful I decided to share it with you.

Step 1 Find yourself, get to like that person and never compromise your values.

Take time to find out exactly what you do like, what inspires you, what makes you feel appreciated and content. Dig deep to discover what are your dreams, aspirations, ambitions and passions. Don’t focus only on the positives. To truly understand oneself one needs to realize one’s limitations and weaknesses. Human beings are made out of the good and bad qualities equally but it is admitting to the negative character flaws that will give you the power to overcome or control them. Knowing yourself will help you in every aspect of your life. It will make it easier for you to make choices, structure your plans and will help you to move past your limitations and bad habits. Also remember never to cheat or lie to yourself as it is always the most difficult to forgive yourself and let go of the times that you failed not others but yourself alone. Have your own principles and stick to them, no matter how hard it might seem sometimes. A person with no values is indeed an empty jar waiting to be filled with the mistakes of others.

Step 2 Appreciate the people who love you.

No matter how many times you have heard that one before it is still as true as when someone said it to you the first time. Love is the most important thing you can ever receive. We are all born the same and unfortunately we are all going to die, no exception. The amount of material things and money that you gathered on your death bed won’t mean anything to you, but a person holding your hand, looking into your eyes and whispering that they love you will really mean everything. Although wealth can make your life a lot easier it is people that will make it worth living for. Learn to forgive. Don’t ever underestimate the power of words and gestures. Don’t ever wait to tell someone that you care about them. And most importantly don’t be afraid to love and feel even if it means getting hurt. Use your heart, because along with your mind it’s the most powerful tool you have been given.

Step 3 Never let anyone tell you differently.

Don’t live your life sponging information that is provided to you. Go and examine things for yourself. Don’t ever be a follower but rather create your own destiny. Find your own path and if there isn’t one be the first one to make it by walking into the unknown. Never let anyone put you down or tell you that you can’t do something. And never dis encourage others in reaching for their desires. Be the one that lives life with knowledge and understanding instead of ignorance.

Step 4 Learn learn and learn more.

Don’t ever settle on what you already know. Improve your knowledge every day because the knowledge itself has the power to change you, improve you, set you free. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember that the only stupid questions are the ones that we didn’t ask. Don’t let everyone else do things for you… that way you will never understand the process involved, the value of work or satisfaction from achievements. Try growing your own herbs, making your own furniture, fixing your appliances, cooking your own meals or even making your own Christmas decorations. We learn all our lives and it is only then that we truly advance and appreciate the world around us.

Step 5 Retain the child within you.

Children are but the most amazing creatures. They are not frightened to try new things but excited and hopeful. They treat the smallest of their chores like the biggest adventure. They are capable of the purest kind of joy, one that doesn’t look for hidden agendas nor seeks other benefits. They are curious and open to new ideas. They use their imagination as the driving force behind their little projects. They don’t obsessively look into the future but wonder what are they going to do tomorrow. Learn from children and try to be more like them. Don’t be afraid of living but be scared of not trying.

Step 6 Never procrastinate

Don’t waste time as it is one of the only things that you can’t bring back. If you want to do something stop talking about it and act. Act today as if there won’t be another chance to start. Progress each day towards your big dreams. Picture them in your head and move closer to achieving them. Don’t wait, don’t make excuses, don’t come up with new doubts. Instead arm yourself with desire and let that feeling lead you to whatever you wish to accomplish. Remember that your success will be only be as great as your desire to succeed.

By Joseph Jackson

Recently I read an article by Peter Drucker. He’s a well-known expert on business management. He said that when he was 13 his teacher asked the class, “What do you want to be remembered for?” No one could answer. The teacher then said, “I didn’t expect you to be able to answer it. But if you still can’t answer it by the time you’re 50, you will have wasted your life.”
 
Peter said that, when you ask yourself this question, it “induces you to renew yourself, because it pushes you to see yourself as a different person – the person you can become.” I believe that asking yourself this question often, and giving it a truthful answer, will make your whole future clear to you.
 
The answer tells you what you want to accomplish in your life, or where you want to go in terms of personal growth. It gives you the goal that you hold most dear in your heart. When you know what that most intimate goal is you’ll find the task of laying out your life’s plan is easy.
 
For instance, my granddaughter once told me that she wants to be a lawyer who specializes in helping the poor. That is a very noble goal. For her to create a plan that guides her toward reaching that goal, she needs to turn that goal into a detailed statement. Nothing long or elaborate, but something specific. A one-liner so to speak. One that says exactly how she wants to help people and what type of people she wants to help.
 
Does she want to protect mistreated children, or orphans (maybe work to find them homes), battered wives, the homeless? Once she has the specific written into her goal’s journal, then she’ll begin to lay out the steps she needs to take to get her to her desired result.
 
It begins with her present school curriculum. English is a very important subject for her because she’ll have to know how to write proposals and petitions. (Documents that are required in the courts to get legal actions started.)She’ll study communication and the art of giving speeches, she’ll learn courtroom procedure, and she’ll get her degree in general law. Then she’ll take courses for her specific specialty.
 
It all starts with that one sentence that says: This is what I want people to remember me for. It’s your mission in life. It doesn’t make any difference what that mission is as long as people remember you as someone who made a valuable difference in their lives. You might build houses (provide a means of shelter), you might write software programs (allow computer workers to do their job faster), or study ocean life (teach the world about their fellow living creatures).
 
I wish for you that people remember you as one who made a valuable difference. You see, the purpose you choose is hopefully a positive one, but if you choose a negative one people get hurt. A bank robber may steal from the rich and give to the poor. But the rich are the people who use their wealth to create jobs so the poor can earn a living. To steal from the rich is to defeat their noble effort of providing jobs. To give to the poor gives them the idea that they don’t need to put forth any effort to live. That prevents them from growing and making their own worthwhile impact on others.
 
To decide on a life mission that takes away from your fellow human beings means you intend to hurt people. That is not noble. It takes a mission of nobility to create value. Sophisticated people can’t afford to be ignoble. A noble mission does not take away from or hurt other people. A noble mission is one that is always helpful and valuable to others. So what do you want your mission to be?
 
“What do you want to be remembered for?”