How can you build the
life you want? The answer to that question is different for each of us. But it’s
critical that you answer it, because in the answer you will find purpose and
meaning. Many of us look for happiness in things, but happiness doesn’t come
from things, it comes from how we relate to ourselves and our world.
1.
BE
TRUE TO YOURSELF – This doesn’t mean a
life without compromise. It means that you don’t lie to yourself. It means that
you find out what is true in your heart, and you seek people, places, and
experiences which support that core truth. It means you don’t settle for
mediocrity. It means you keep striving for excellence even in the face of
failure, because you know you are not mediocre. You know that you are
absolutely unique and are capable of contributing something great. Being true
to yourself means you don’t hide behind a mask. It means you’re a WYSIWYG
person.
2.
HAVE
A VISION FOR YOUR FUTURE
– Take action now, with a picture of your future in mind. Have a vision that
improves your life and the lives of others. Our CEO has a vision of attaching
our ergonomic products to every display and laptop in the world. He never stops
talking about it, because he knows if we realized even a portion of his vision,
that our world would be a better place. You already know how to build a vision. You
do it on a small scale everyday when you jump in your car and drive to a
destination. You have to start with a destination in mind or you’ll end up at
some random place. So what is your life vision?
3.
AVOID
DEBT – Debt is slavery. If
you can’t afford it now, save for it. If you do decide to take on debt make
sure it’s critical to your life vision. What is important enough to take on
debt?
o A home? Maybe
o An education? Maybe
o A business? Maybe
o A car? Maybe
o A pair of shoes? No
o A latte? No
o A night out drinking? No
o Christmas gifts? No
o Trendy new eyeglasses? No
o An iPhone? No
Make sure you’re not paying compound interest on stuff that will
end up in a landfill or get flushed down the toilet. Make it a rule, to avoid
debt.
4.
SAVE – The financial experts all say, Pay
Yourself First. Pay yourself at least 10% of your gross income. It’s
easy if you have 10% automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited in
an investment portfolio. You’ll never miss it.
5.
CONTINUE
YOUR EDUCATION – Invest in your
mind. Few people do.
o 58% of the US adult population never reads
another book after high school
o 42% of college graduates never read another
book
o 80% of US families did not buy or read a book
last year
o 70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore
in the last five years
Traditional education isn’t an end, but a beginning. Traditional
educators endeavor to create within your mind, a set of tools with which you
will build a lifetime of education. Even if you never acquired a traditional
education, you can still enjoy a lifetime of learning and growth. Keep an open
mind, look for educational opportunity everywhere and become a wealthier,
smarter, more creative person.
6.
TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHANGE
– If you aren’t getting the results you want from life, you’re probably thinking
and doing things that are counter-productive. Only you can identify what those
things are and only you can take responsibility for changing them. To discover
what changes you need to make, find someone who is getting the results you
want, then compare your habits to theirs. Find out how they think, how they
speak, how they act, what they do, and what they value. Don’t be a phony, be
yourself, but learn from other people. You can take huge shortcuts in life if
you are willing learn from other people.
7.
LEARN
FROM MISTAKES - Not just your
mistakes, but everyone’s mistakes. View history as an opportunity to learn.
Some of us are embarrassed of our past and would rather just forget about it,
but that can easily turn into denial. Denial is imaginative stubbornness which
causes us to repeat the same foolish actions. We fear what we don’t understand,
so if we don’t understand our failures we create unnecessary anxiety in our
lives. To act courageously in spite of fear we must be honest with ourselves
about our past.
8.
BUILD
QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS/DISCARD DESTRUCTIVE ONES – The quality of your life is directly
related to the quality of the people you choose to have relationships with.
Make sure your relationships are two way relationships. If they are all take
and little give they are will suck the happiness out of your life.Love:
Look for a partner who is on a similar journey as yours, who has similar goals
and values, and build on your relationship by giving your love and
encouragement. Be ready to compromise, because great relationships are built on
shared visions not selfish ambition. Share the difficulties and the rewards.
Listen closely. Be patient.
Friendship:
Look for people with similar values, who give as much as they take, with which
you can share interests and hobbies. Good friends don’t try to change each
other, they accept each other for who they are. Laugh, listen, and offer help.
Business:
Expect high ethical standards from your business associates. Don’t waste time
with people who use questionable business models and practices, they can only
muddy your name. All ethical business relationships are built upon providing
mutual benefit. If you are questioning a relationship, trust your instincts and
examine the relationship to see if it is lopsided. If someone is questioning
you, listen and be honest with yourself. Is there a mutual benefit? Are you
being fair? Can you see another perspective?
9.
DO
THE RIGHT THING EVEN WHEN IT IS UNPOPULAR – Have you ever gone along with the crowd and said or did
something you knew hurt someone else? Most of us have. I have, and I’m not
proud of it. Every time you fail to stand up for what you know is right, it
leaves a little hole in your soul. It’s like cutting flesh away, it will heal
but it leaves a scar. You can’t change other people, but you can call them on
their bullshit or walk away when they are acting like Neanderthals.
10.
HONOR
YOUR COMMITMENTS – Do not make
commitments lightly. Before you commit to anything, think it through with your
heart and your mind, and if you have doubts, don’t commit. But if you do
commit, follow through. Our biggest commitments are to our spouses and our
children. If you fail to honor those basic commitments, the damage can last
generations (This is not to say that you should stay in an abusive relationship.
If you are in one, get out. The abuser has already broken his commitment). Our
business commitments can be nearly as important. If you fail to pay your bills
and honor your contracts, you will see opportunity evaporate. Others will lose
trust in you, which will destroy your relationships.
11.
BE
CHARITABLE – Now that you’re
saving 10%, take another 10% and give it to a worthy cause. I am sure some of
you are thinking, “whatever, he’s talking about rich people, not me, I don’t
have enough money to give any away.” No, I’m talking about you. If you only
make $1000 per month then you only have to give away a 100 bucks. If you can’t
give away $100 now, it will be even harder to give $1000 later. Why? Because it
will add to your overall
well being. You’ll feel better about yourself and your world and it will come back to you ten fold. Being miserly will not improve your life, generosity will.
well being. You’ll feel better about yourself and your world and it will come back to you ten fold. Being miserly will not improve your life, generosity will.
by Sir. Steve
