“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.”  ~ Albert Einstein

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”  ~ Stephen Covey.

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Mindset is “an established set of attitudes held by someone,” says the Oxford American Dictionary. It turns out, however, that a set of attitudes needn’t be so set, according to Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford. Dweck proposes that everyone has either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

A fixed mindset is one in which you view your talents and abilities as… well, fixed. In other words, you are who you are, your intelligence and talents are fixed, and your fate is to go through life avoiding challenge and failure.

A growth mindset, on the other hand, is one in which you see yourself as fluid, a work in progress. Your fate is one of growth and opportunity.

Which mindset do you possess?

Dweck provides a checklist to assess yourself and shows how a particular mindset can affect all areas of your life, from business to sports and love. The good news, says Dweck, is that mindsets are not set: at any time, you can learn to use a growth mindset to achieve success and happiness. This is a serious, practical book. Dweck’s overall assertion that rigid thinking benefits no one, least of all yourself, and that a change of mind is always possible, is welcome.

When you change your mindset, you change your world!

Successful people have a very unique mindset. Their beliefs and values are very different from those of other people. And they have adopted different habits that support their beliefs and helps them achieve their goals.

As a result, successful people react differently to events, situations and challenges in their lives. They also react differently to what other people say or think. Only they decide what they are to focus on at any given time.

Successful people ask the right questions! While most people look at a situation and ask “Why isn’t this working?”, the successful person will look at the same situation and ask “How can I make this work?” Where most people will wonder “Why is this happening to me?” the successful person will ask “What can I change in order to get what I want?”

Successful people have a very different mindset.

But here’s what’s interesting…

Successful people aren’t born this way. They are different because they choose to be different. They simply decided to change their lives because they didn’t like what they had. They didn’t like the kind of results they were getting, or the direction in which their lives were headed. So they decided to change it.

But they realized that in order to change their lives, they first needed to change their beliefs, values, and habits. They needed to change their mindset. And so they did.

Anyone can choose to do the same! Anyone can decide to become successful. Anyone can obtain riches, optimum health, fulfilling relationships, and so on. Anyone can go out there and start searching for answers, for knowledge and skills that would make them successful.

And since success starts first in the mind, anyone can choose to adopt new empowering beliefs & habits and let go of the old, limiting ones.

Hope you find this article empowering!

“Holding οח tο аחɡеr іѕ Ɩіkе grasping a hot coal wіtһ tһе intent οf throwing іt аt someone еƖѕе уου аrе tһе one wһο gets burned.”  ~ Buddha.

“Fοr еνеrу minute уου remain аחɡrу, уου give up sixty seconds οf peace οf mind.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“Aחɡеr, іf חοt restrained, іѕ frequently more hurtful tο υѕ tһаח tһе injury tһаt provokes іt.”  ~ Seneca.

Everyone gets аחɡrу. It’s јυѕt a раrt οf life. Hοwеνеr, уου саח teach yourself effective ways tο manage уουr аחɡеr ѕο уου саח release іt іח a healthy manner.

Wһеח уου Ɩеt уουr аחɡеr boil inside οf уου, іt сουƖԁ еחԁ up coming out іח undesirable ways. Yου сеrtаіחƖу don’t want аח explosion οf аחɡеr tο occur wһеrе уου feel completely out οf control. Tһаt сουƖԁ produce ѕοmе serious consequences fοr уου аחԁ others.

Tһеrе аrе easy аחԁ safe methods tο υѕе tһаt wіƖƖ allow уου tο manage уουr аחɡеr.

Try ѕοmе οf tһе following аחɡеr management tips:

1. Take deep breaths. At tһе first sign οf аחɡеr, take a step back instead οf having аח immediate reaction. Allow yourself time fοr a few deep breaths. Tһіѕ act wіƖƖ bring extra oxygen tο tһе brain wһеrе іt’s needed. Yου′ll bе аbƖе tο tһіחk wіtһ extra clarity аחԁ уου′ll һаνе more time tο sort out уουr tһουɡһtѕ.

2. Pray аחԁ meditate. Turn tο tһе һеƖр οf prayer аחԁ meditation. Cһοοѕе tһе one tһаt fits wіtһ уουr personal style. Both οf tһеѕе activities allow уου tο concentrate аחԁ clear уουr head. Yου′ll bе аbƖе tο tһіחk hard аbουt уουr feelings аחԁ possibly even release tһе аחɡеr уου′ve built up.

3. Uѕе positive affirmations. Affirmations һаνе tһе power tο battle negative emotions such аѕ аחɡеr. Tһеу′re short positive statements written іח tһе present tense tһаt саח һеƖр уου stay саƖm аחԁ collected wһеח іt matters. If уου feel аחɡrу, tеƖƖ yourself tһаt уου′re саƖm аחԁ understanding. Doing ѕο wіƖƖ һеƖр tο redirect уουr mind onto tһе positive.

4. Exercise. Exercise іѕ a real treat fοr tһе body аחԁ mind. It keeps уου fit аחԁ thinking οח уουr toes. It’s a ɡrеаt way tο release stress аחԁ endorphins ѕο уου саח feel better. Yου ƖіkеƖу won’t bе feeling аחɡеr anymore аftеr a ɡοοԁ rυח around town.


5. Write іח a journal. If уου′re looking fοr аח outlet tο release уουr tһουɡһtѕ аחԁ emotions, try journaling. It’s a ɡrеаt way tο feel Ɩіkе уου′re talking tο someone, bυt уου′re still keeping secrets. Sorting out уουr inner feelings іח tһіѕ way саח bе a ɡrеаt release.

6. Stаrt a חеw hobby. Hobbies саח һеƖр уου deal wіtһ аחɡеr bесаυѕе tһеу′re activities tһаt уου еחјοу doing. Sіחсе уου′ll bе having a ɡοοԁ time, уου′ll hopefully bе аbƖе tο turn уουr frown upside down!

• Hobbies саח bе a ɡοοԁ temporary escape tο сοοƖ yourself down frοm аחɡеr, bυt іt’s іmрοrtаחt tο return tο tһе situation once уου′ve found a сοοƖ head. Yου don’t want tο continue tο ignore уουr issues fοr tοο long.

7. Jυѕt Ɩеt ɡο. Figure out аחу way уου саח tο јυѕt Ɩеt ɡο οf уουr аחɡrу feelings. Aѕk yourself wһу уου′re still holding οח. Yου eventually need tο learn һοw tο release tһе feelings bесаυѕе, іח tһе long rυח, tһеу′re οחƖу hurting уου аחԁ keeping уου frοm enjoying уουr life.

If аƖƖ еƖѕе fails, remember tһаt уου саח аѕk fοr һеƖр fοr уουr аחɡеr issues. Yου don’t һаνе tο feel Ɩіkе уου′re alone wіtһ уουr аחɡеr. Yου саח turn tο family members аחԁ friends. Tһеу′ll bе tһеrе tο support уου іח уουr time οf need. If уου truly feel tһаt уου һаνе аח issue tһаt уου саח′t seem tο Ɩеt ɡο οf, уου саח seek tһе һеƖр οf аח аחɡеr management counselor οr coach, tοο.

Practice using tһеѕе strategies еνеrу day аחԁ уου′ll soon bе һарру tο see tһаt уου саח аррrοасһ life сοοƖ, саƖm, аחԁ collected.

“A goal properly set is halfway reached.”  ~ Abraham Lincoln.

“You’ll fail at a 100% of the goals you don’t set.”  ~ Mark Victor Hansen.

Goal setting is one of the best ways to get ahead in life – but only if you’re setting your goals effectively!

Are you trying for unattainable goals that you aren’t really passionate about? Do you quickly give up on your goals? It can be easy to get discouraged, but you don’t have to end up there!

With the right strategies, you can set goals that really matter to you and meet them more easily than you ever imagined.

Most importantly, your goals should be yours and not someone else’s. The goals that your parents, friends, and family members have for you may not be the same for yourself.

What’s Important to YOU?

Too many people set goals to be rich, write a best-selling novel, or marry someone who’s famous, wealthy, or otherwise important or influential. If those are truly your dreams, there’s nothing wrong with them. However, if they’re just society’s dreams – and not yours – let them go, and think about what really matters to you. What do you want out of your life?

When you’re setting goals, stop and ask yourself, “What will bring me joy, beauty and happiness?”

Your goals might include things like:

• Getting married
• Having children
• Finishing college
• Starting your own business
• Changing careers
• Helping others
• Buying your own home
• Having material wealth
• Being physically fit
• Attaining spiritual enlightenment

No matter what you choose or how many goals you have, you can reach them if you’re dedicated and committed to making them happen.

Making Your Dreams Come True

Once you’ve decided what really matters to you and you set your goals, you can begin to make them a reality in your life. Although your goals will take some work, watching them come into fruition is exciting and satisfying!

Follow these tips to help you achieve your goals:

1. Keep your focus. Keep a picture of the life you desire at the forefront of your mind. When frivolous things try to distract you, as they will, remember to make choices according to what’s really important to you.

• Take action toward your goal every day. Each day, find something you can do that will bring you a little closer to meeting your goal.
• When challenges arise, getting discouraged won’t change anything, so seek solutions that can put you back on track. Just stay focused and adjust your plans as necessary.

2. Be open to change. Your goals aren’t set in stone. If you choose to change what you’re focused on and set a new goal, that doesn’t mean you’ve given up on your goals. It only means you’ve seen that your goals need to change, just as you change. That’s a sign of growth and wisdom.


3. Set realistic timelines. Some goals can be met in a day or a week, but larger goals often take months or years. When you set goals, it’s important to be realistic about how long you expect them to take.

• If it’s too far away, you might procrastinate, or you may not start at all.
• If it’s too soon, you’ll be frustrated and discouraged if you don’t make your deadline.

4. Divide your goal into small steps. Another great way to reach your goals is to divide big goals into smaller ones. Each small goal is one step, or one task, on the way to achieving your ultimate goal.

• Set individual deadlines for these small steps. This way, you’ll always be moving forward, one step at a time.
• For example, if your goal is to own your own business, there are things you’ll need to look into like licensing, income, credit, location, and others. Each one of these tasks is one step. You could also subdivide these steps into even smaller goals.

5. Avoid giving up. Many people give up on their goals just before they reach them, not even realizing how close they were. Never give up! You may be closer than you think.

These strategies will enable you to not only reach your goal, but also enjoy the journey along the way – all without getting overwhelmed!

“The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behavior affect the rights and well being of others.”  ~ Sharon Anthony Bower quotes.

Assertiveness is an important skill that can make your life more enjoyable, but, unfortunately, it’s also vastly misconstrued. Sometimes it’s difficult to be assertive, or make your beliefs known, while still maintaining peace and understanding.

Assertive people often come off as rude or controlling. This is because generally people don’t like to be told what to do or how to do it. The trick is in learning how to stand up for yourself without making others feel imposed upon. This is a skill you can develop with a little know-how and practice.

Try using the following tips in order to properly assert yourself:

1. Choose your words carefully. This is especially important if you’re going to assert yourself in situations where you were previously passive. Think about the different ways that your words can be interpreted. Write them down and read them back to yourself if that helps.

Remember that there’s a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive.

2. Develop good listening skills. Being assertive takes some great communication skills. Remember that communication has two sides – speaking and listening. Truly listening will help you clearly understand the situation at hand. When you follow up with thoughtful and assertive speech, others are more likely to value your opinion.

3. Avoid taking things personally. Since being assertive can be touchy, sometimes you’ll do everything right and still end up rubbing someone the wrong way. Learn how to brush off comments that don’t matter.

4. Be humble. You can combat resistance to your assertiveness by being humble. Avoid bragging about yourself, even if it’s in a joking manner.


5. Show confidence. People enjoy being led by people who ooze confidence. If you’re going to be assertive and take charge, show the confidence to back it up. People will sense your lack of confidence if it isn’t truly there, so give yourself permission to feel good about yourself and your accomplishments.

6. Handle negative issues quickly. If problems arise, jump on them immediately. It’s a part of being assertive. Handle issues with kindness and respect and people will remember you for it. If you let problems linger or treat them in a negative manner, people will remember that too.

7. Deal with feelings of superiority. You’re only human, so perhaps you do feel superior in a situation where you’re being assertive. If so, be careful to avoid acting rudely.

8. Apologize for mistakes. When you’re being assertive, you’re no doubt in the spotlight. When you make a mistake in the spotlight, everyone knows about it. Act appropriately and apologize, and people will respect you for owning up to it.

Remember that the skill of assertiveness is something that develops over time. It may be overwhelming to try to make drastic changes overnight. Ease yourself into it and test the waters. It’s always best to think with clarity and make your changes slowly.

With a gradual change, others will be more likely to accept your new assertiveness. Before you know it, you’ll have their respect for the new, improved you!

How you think about yourself makes a big difference in how you feel. You can avoid feeling down or upset if you know what to say to yourself and how to say it. Even during difficult times, you can find moments of joy and blessings to talk to yourself about.

No matter what you want to do in life, self-talk can help you accomplish your dreams, goals, and desires. Believing in yourself is a strong component of moving forward into the life you really want and deserve. Positive self-talk can bring you this belief and instill within you the confidence to succeed.

Discover the Beauty in Your Life

When you face serious challenges in your life, being unhappy and speaking negatively to yourself won’t change anything for the better. Instead, seek out joy in positive affirmations of your continued worth.

The problems you may be facing have absolutely nothing to do with your value as a human being. Remind yourself of your great value!

Positive self-talk is not about being unrealistic or lying to yourself. It’s about seeing the beauty and value in yourself and others. Each one of us has something we can give and we each have a purpose and a reason to be here.

Using Positive Self-Talk Each Day

How do you take advantage of positive self-talk? When it comes to talking to yourself, there are no specific rules. You can focus on anything about you or your surroundings that’s positive.

Avoid letting negative or upsetting thoughts creep in. Things might not be going your way at any particular moment, but there are better days ahead, and the fact that you’re alive is something to be positive about!

Here are some tips to help you get started using positive self-talk to bring about a joyful, fulfilled life:

1. Remember something others like about you. Recall a positive comment someone made about you in the past. Even if you don’t see the reason for the compliment, someone else obviously did. Use that to your advantage to remind yourself of your great qualities and talents.

2. What do you like about yourself? Start small, if you prefer. You don’t have to think or feel (or say) that you’re perfect, but pick one thing that you like about yourself, or that you can accept about yourself, and be pleased with that.

3. Speak out loud. Sure, you might feel a little silly at first. You don’t have to do it when anyone else is around, but say your affirmations aloud whenever you can. That way you hear the good things about you, too.

4. Set aside time to practice your positive self-talk. If you don’t put it into your schedule, it’s easy to forget about it or decide that you’ll get to it later. Make it a priority, so it becomes a part of your daily routine.

The Benefits of Positive Self-Talk

The benefits you’ll get from positive self-talk will depend on your commitment to it. If you practice it each day, it’ll become second nature to you. When others say negative things, it’ll be less likely to take root in your mind, since you’ll already be filled with positive information about your worth.

Regardless of what stage of life you’re in, there’s always room for more happiness. Even in the face of despair, there are opportunities for great joy and growth. Avoid missing out on those opportunities because you don’t see your worth as a person. Instead, you can expect the best because of your positive self-talk.

Positive self-talk can help you rise higher in your career, family life, spiritual life, and any other area that matters to you. Friends and family members will notice your new-found confidence, and so will your co-workers, boss, and others. You just may find that positive self-talk leads you to some amazing new opportunities!

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”  ~ David Brinkley.

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”  ~ Dale Carnegie.

Understanding How You Measure Success

Ask a person what success means to them, and they’ll often say it means being filthy rich. But, does it really? It depends on the person. Not everyone equates success with great wealth, and you don’t have to, either.

Maybe your dream is to be a missionary. Perhaps you want to stay at home with the kids, or teach school in an underprivileged area. If you do those things, and do them to the best of your ability, you’re a success!

Having financial security is nice, and great wealth might be enjoyable to the majority of people, but there are other dimensions that need to be fulfilled that are of even greater importance.

What kind of legacy you leave behind, and how much joy you get from your life, can have a lot of significance for the world in which you live. One of the surest ways to see success in your life is to focus on what you can do for others.

If you want to achieve success (both personal and business), you must keep moving forward, even when you’re afraid. There will always be challenging or confusing moments in your life, but it’s what you do after that matters.

Making the decision to be happy and move forward despite your circumstances is important – and it’s a conscious decision. You can make it, right now.

Choosing Happiness

One of the main things you’ll notice about truly successful people is that they’re happy. Most people assume that their happiness comes from the success they’ve achieved, but it’s actually more likely that their success was borne out of their happiness. Because they found joy in life and believed in great things, they drew those things to them.

By choosing happiness over despair, you’ll be able to draw the good things in life to you, as well. While not difficult, choosing happiness takes practice.

You can focus on things like:

• The positive aspects of your work
• Helping others
• Enjoying your mate
• Past successes in your life
• Places you’ve visited
• Starting your own business
• Anything that brings you joy

Following Your Dreams

Instant gratification is one of the biggest obstacles you’ll need to combat in your mind. After years of instantaneous satisfaction of food, entertainment, and pleasure, you may think that your dreams must be fulfilled as easily and quickly, too. But what if it doesn’t happen? Well it’s awfully disappointing, isn’t it?

It’s easy to get discouraged when your dreams don’t come true as quickly as you’d like, but keep working toward your goals anyway. Avoid letting other people in your life talk you out of success. Most importantly, avoid talking yourself out of your dreams.

Success should always be measured by what you feel in your heart. You can listen to the opinions of others, but the only opinion of success that matters is the one you create for yourself.

Pay attention to how you really feel about your dreams and keep yourself focused on your pursuit of great success. When you achieve what you set out to, you’ll experience a triumphant joy like never before!

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”  ~ William Jennings Bryan.

“It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”  ~ Anthony Robbins.

“Control your own destiny or someone else will.”  ~ Jack Welch.

My tomorrow is dictated by my actions today. How I act today is the blueprint for my future. Daily, I spend time reflecting on my actions and attitudes in order to alter my habits. I practice good habits because they breed success.

I choose to use my time wisely. Therefore my time is spent on activities that benefit me. Every decision I make is carefully thought out and evaluated because I am committed to shaping my future. In the end, I choose to do only that which brings me closer to my goals.

I focus on what I can control and release myself from unnecessary pressures. I control my reactions and I react with wisdom in order to live free from regret. Doing so allows me to enjoy the fruit of my hard work in serenity and peace.

My future is well planned because I set high standards for myself. I know where I want to go in my career, relationships, and other areas of personal growth. My plan includes strategies on how to become and achieve more.

When I think of where I am going, I am filled with enthusiasm. I am proud of where I am today because I know it is just the beginning of greater things to come. My future is a place that I face with expectation and uncontainable anticipation.

Today, in every decision I make, I am conscious of my future well-being.


Self-Reflection Questions:

1.Where do I see myself in 5 years?

2.How will I get there?

3.What do I need to do in order to ensure that I am moving forward?