Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

If what you are doing isn’t working, do something different. Choose a new path. Make different choices. Different results come from different actions. Just stop it. Really. Life is a continuum of actions and reactions. So act and react in a new way.

Ask yourself these questions:
What am I willing to do differently?
When am I willing to do it?
How will I stay committed to doing it?

Understand, you don’t have to do anything. Changing yourself is not a requirement. You have free will. But, if you are dissatisfied with the current condition of your life, then only you can alter it. Blaming your past, your parents, your partner, or your present circumstances only serves to keep you enslaved to the present situation.

Albert Einstein said that the definition of insanity is, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Most of us aren’t insane. So let’s don’t act like it. If what you are doing isn’t working, do something different. Sure, it might take a while – but so did Rome.

Freedom Living Life Coaching

Don’t Assume Inferiority

“Not that I have already obtained all this,” the apostle Paul wrote. “Or have already arrived at my goal. But I press on to take hold …”

I take great comfort in Paul’s assessment of his own journey. One of the greatest contributors to the New Testament freely admits that even he hasn’t mastered his own advice.

The danger of pursuing help from those we perceive as masters is in believing  that they have mastered their own advice. Not at all. Sure, they have insight we need – sure, they are submersed in their topic – and hopefully have experienced fruitful application. But, they are on a journey just like you and me.

“The master is not above the student.” Don’t lose sight of that. Learn from the master, but don’t assume inferiority. You’re better than that.

21 Day Challenge, Day 9

In 1952 Norman Vincent Peale wrote a book that would become the foundation of what we know as the positive thinking movement. The principals in The Power Of Positive Thinking are so counter intuitive to the way most of our culture lives and thinks today. Peale vehemently challenged that often negative, pessimistic attitude so prevalent in society.

His principals are just as viable today, and probably more needed than ever. Below I have paraphrased some ideas from the first few pages of the book. Peale says there are “simple, workable rules for overcoming inadequacy attitudes …” Here’s my spin on them.

1)     Visualize yourself succeeding at your goals – burn that image in your mind, make it as real (as if) to your subconscious mind.

2)     When negative thoughts or images come to mind, don’t let them linger. Replace them with the opposite (positive) picture or thought immediately.

3)     See obstacles for what they are; just obstacles. Don’t give them any power beyond that.

4)     Don’t be overly impressed or intimidated by other people. You’re just as capable. And they struggle too.

5)     Don’t be afraid to ask for help – either from a trusted friend or a trusted professional.

6)     Honestly evaluate your ability to succeed, then up it 10%. Push yourself to get out of your comfort zone.

7)     Don’t be afraid to trust your creator. We often miss the key ingredient of faith. You were designed to succeed at being you – and God wants to participate in that success.

8)     Do the thing you fear. Emerson wrote, “They conquer who believe they can.” After you’ve done it once, you defeat the fear of the unknown.

9)     Remind yourself often, daily, that you can and will achieve your goals. Peale said, “Feelings of confidence depend upon the type of thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.”

10)  Change requires effort, but it’s better to have changed than to live with regret.

I hope these tidbits from the master positive thinker give you a boost today. Treat your mind like a close friend and it will take you where you want to go in life.